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LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


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CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU 

FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 
FLETCHER  HAMILTON  State  Mineralogist 


San  Francisco] 


BULLETIN  No.  74 


[August,  1917 


California 

Mineral  Production 

for  1916 


WITH  COUNTY  MAPS 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  PniNTING  OFFICE 

SACRAMENTO 

1917 


Li\iV;..ilC/ii.i     (^i       ^jrii-j.FORi>IlA 


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CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 

FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 
FLETCHER  HAMILTON  State  Mineralogist 


San  Francisco]  BULLETIN  No.  74  [August,  1917 


California 

Mineral  Production 

for  1916 


WITH  COUNTY  MAPS 

By  WALTER  W.  BRADLEY,  Mining  Statistician 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  PRINTING  OFFICE 

SACRAMENTO 

19  17 


31821 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


,    .  Page 

LETTKR    OF    TRANSMITTAL __! L 5 

INTRODUCTION    7 

Chapter  I. 

SUMMARY  OF  THE   MINERAL  INDUSTRY  IN   CALIFORNIA  DURING  THE 

YEAR    OF    1916 9 

TABULATION  OF  THE  MINERAL  PRODUCTION  SHOWING  COMPARATIVE 

AMOUNTS  AND  VALUES — 1915   AND   1916 11 

TABLE  SHOWING  COMPARATIVE  MINERAL  PRODUCTION  OF  THE  VARI- 
OUS COUNTIES  IN  CALIFORNIA  FOR  1915  AND  1916 12 

Ohapter  II 
FUELS   (HYDROCARBONS)  — 

Introductoky  13 

Coal 13 

Natural  Gas 14 

Petroleum   17 

Chapter  III. 
METALS^ 

Introductory  26 

Aluminum    ^ 27 

Antimony 27 

Bismuth 28 

Copper 29 

Gold 30 

Iridium.      (See  Platinum.) 

Iron    34 

Lead    36 

Manganese 37 

Molybdenum    39 

Nickel ; 40 

Osmium 40 

Palladium     40 

Platinum 40 

Quicksilver 42 

hILVER    47 

Tin 50 

'iUNGSX'EN ---- 51 

Vanadium 53 

Zinc   54 

Chapter  IV. 
STRUCTURAL   MATERIALS— 

Introductory  55 

Asphalt    56 

Bituminous  Rock 56 

Brick  and  Tile 57 

Cement   59 

Chromite    61 

Granite 64 

Lime    66 

Magnesite    66 

Marble    74 

Onyx  and  Travertine 75 

Sandstone    75 

Serpentine 76 

Slate 77 

SroNE — Miscellaneous 78 

Chapter  V. 
INDUSTRIAL  MATERIALS — 

Introductory  S5 

Asbestos   86 

Barytes     89 

Clay — Pottery    90 

Dolomite 92 

Feldspar 93 

Fuller's  Earth 94 

Fluorspar     95 

Gems    95 

Graphite 96 

Gypsum 97 

Infusorial  and  Diatomace.ous  Earth 98 

Limestone    99 

Lithia 100 

Mica 101 

Mineral  Paint 101 

Mineral   Water   102 

Phosphates 103 

Pumice  and  Volcanic  Ash 104 

Pyrite  104 

Silica — Sand    and   Quartz 105 

Soapstone  or  Talc 106 

Strontium    107 

Sulphur   108 


4  TABLE  OP  CONTENTS. 

Chapter  VI. 
SALINES —  Page 

Introductory 109 

Borax    109 

Magnesium  Chloride . 110 

Nitrates 111 

Potash 111 

Salt li:; 

Soda 114 

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 
Chapter  VII. 

mineral   production    of    CALIFORNIA    BT    COUNTIES. 

INTRODUCTORY '__  116 

Alameda -- 117 

Alpine    lis 

Amador   118 

Butte 119 

Calaveras 119 

Colusa 120 

Contra  Costa 120 

Del  Norte 121 

El    Dorado 12- 

Fresno 122 

Glenn   123 

Humboldt 123 

Imperial  124 

Inyo 125 

Kern    12G 

Kings 126 

Lake    127 

Lassen 127 

Los  Angeles 128 

Madera 128 

Marin    129 

Mariposa 129 

Mendocino    130 

Merged 130 

■  Modoc    131 

Mono    131 

Monterey   132 

Napa    132 

Nevada    133 

Orange    133 

Placer    134 

Plumas  135 

Riverside    135 

Sacramento 136 

San  Benito    137 

San  Bernardino    137 

San  Diego    138 

San  Francisco    139 

San  Joaquin   139 

San  Luis  Obispo       139 

San  Mateo 140 

Santa  Barbara 141 

Santa    Clara    141 

Santa    Cruz    14l' 

Shasta ^ 142 

Sierra    143 

Siskiyou   144 

Solano 144 

Sonoma   145 

Stanislaus    14." 

Sutter    146 

Tehama 14  fi 

Trinity  146 

Tulare    147 

Tuolumne 147 

Ventitra    148 

Yolo 149 

Yuba    149 

Chapter  VIII. 

appendix. 

MINING  BUREAU  ACT 150 

PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 153 

COUNTY  MAPS :__   157 

INDEX    . 177 


I 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Paee 

iMusEUM  OF  State  Mining  Bureau Frontispiece 

Chart  Showing  Lead  Prices,  1914-1916 35 

A  Shipment  of  300  Flasks  op  Quicksilver  From  the  New  Idria  Mine 44 

New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mine 45 

Chart  of  Silver  Prices,  1916 48 

Chart  of  Tungsten  Prices,  1914-1916 52 

Chart  of  Zinc  Prices,  1914-1916 54 

'state  Highway  Bridge  at  Dunsmuir 60 

Shaft  Furnace  of  Western  Magnesite  Development  Company 67 

Rotary  Kiln  of  Sonoma  Magnesite  Company 68 

Grinding  Mill  Pebbles  on  Beach  at  Bird  Rock 80 

Capital  National  Bank  Building,  Sacramento 91 


LETTER    OF    TRANSMITTAL. 


August,  1917. 
To  His  Excellency,  the  Honorable  William  D.  Stephens, 
Governor  of  the  State  of  California, 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  herewith  transmit  Bulletin  No.  74  of  the 
State  Mining  Bureau,  being  the  annual  report  of  the  statistics  of 
mineral  production  of  California. 

The  remarkable  variety,  total  valuation,  and  wide  distribution  of 
many  of  our  minerals  shown  herein  are  a  revelation  of  California's 
strategic  importance  as  a  producer  of  commercial  minerals  among  the 
states  of  the  Union. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

Fletcher  Hamilton, 
State  Mineralogist. 


LETTER  OF  INTRODUCTION. 


The  Bulletin  herewith  presented  of  the  mineral  industries  of  Cali- 
fornia is  the  result  of  a  painstaking  effort  to  so  compile  the  statistics 
of  production  that  they  will  be  of  actual  use  to  producers  and  to  those 
interested  in  the  utilization  of  the  mineral  products  of  our  state,  while 
at  the  same  time  keeping  the  individual's  data  confidential.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  mere  figures  of  output,  we  have  included  descriptions  of 
the  uses  and  characteristics  of  many  of  the  materials,  as  well  as  a  brief 
mention  of  their  occurrences. 

The  compilation  of  accurate  and  dependable  figures  is  an  extremely 
difficult  undertaking,  and  the  State  Mineralogist  takes  the  opportunity 
of  here  expressing  his  appreciation  of  the  universal  co-operation  of  the 
producers  in  making  this  work  possible.  The  response  to  our  recpiest 
for  early  replies  is  particularly  pleasing.  A  fuller  appreciation  of  the 
value  of  early  responses  to  the  requests  sent  out  at  the  beginning  of 
each  year,  will  result  in  earlier  publication  of  the  data  in  the  future. 

Some  of  the  data  relative  to  properties  and  uses  of  many  of  the 

minerals  herein  described  are  repeated  from  the  preceding  year's  report, 

as  it  is  intended  that  this  annual  statistical  bulletin  shall  be  somewhat 

of  a  compendium  of  information  on  California's  commercial  minerals 

and  their  utilization. 

Fletcher  Hamilton, 

State  Mineralogist. 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY,  CALIFORNIA,  1916 


DATA   COMPILED    FROM    DIRECT   RETURNS   FROM    PRO- 
DUCERS IN  ANSWER  TO  INQUIRIES  SENT  OUT  BY 
CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU,  FERRY 
BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL. 


CHAPTER   ONE. 

Mineral  output  in  California  during  the  year  1916  amounted  to 
$127,901,610  worth  of  crude  materials.  There  wore  fifty-two  different 
mineral  substances,  exclusive  of  a  segregation  of  the  various  stones 
grouped  under  gems,  and  of  the  fifty-eight  counties  in  the  state  all  but 
one  contributed  some  mineral  product. 

As  compared  with  the  1915  output,  the  notable  features  of  1916  are 
the  continued  increases  along  those  lines  which  have  been  boosted  by  war 
conditions,  the  enormous  increase  in  petroleum  valuation  though  the 
quantity  showed  a  decrease  of  nearly  a  million  barrels,  and  the  decrease 
of  over  a  million  dollars  in  the  gold  yield.  The  result  is  a  net  increase 
in  the  grand  total  value  of  $31,238,241  over  the  1915  total.  This  is  the 
first  time  in  the  history  of  California  that  her  total  mineral  yield  for  a 
year  has  passed  the  one  hundred  million  mark. 

Of  the  metals :  Copper  increased  approximately  15,000,000  pounds  in 
quantity  and  $6,559,450  in  value.  Gold  decreased  $1,031,555.  Lead, 
quicksilver,  silver  and  zinc  each  increased  more  than  a  half  million  in 
value,  while  tungsten  showed  an  increase  of  150  per  cent  in  quantity 
and  350  per  cent  in  value,  or  $3,566,054. 

Petroleum  decreased  nearly  a  million  barrels  in  quantity,  but  the 
prices  per  barrel  for  all  grades  were  raised  so  materially  that  the  net 
result  was  an  increase  of  $13,917,497  in  total  value. 

Decided  gains  are  shown  by  some  of  the  structural  and  industrial 
materials,  such  as  cement,  chromite,  granite,  lime,  magnesite  and  man- 
ganese. Of  these,  magnesite  leads  with  a  nearly  four-fold  increase,  of 
$1,028,432. 

All  of  the  salines  increased,  but  especially,  borax  from  $1,663,521  to 
$2,409,375  and  potash  from  $19,391  to  $663,605. 

The  figures  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  are  made  up  from  reports 
received  direct  from  the  producers  of  the  various  minerals.  Care  is 
exercised  in  avoiding  duplication,  and  any  error  is  likely  to  be  on  the  side 
of  under-  rather  than  over-estimation. 


10  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

California  yields  commercially  a  greater  number  and  variety  of 
mineral  products  than  any  other  state  in  the  United  States,  and  probably 
more  than  any  other  equal  area  elsewhere  of  the  earth.  Previous  to 
1916,  the  total  annual  value  of  her  output  was  surpassed  by  but  four 
other  states,  they  being  the  great  coal  and  iron  producers  of  east  of 
the  Mississippi  River.  In  1916,  because  of  their  enormous  increases  in 
copper  output,  reports  indicate  that  Montana  and  Arizona  have  passed 
California  for  that  j^ear.  Of  one  item,  at  least,  borax,  California  still 
remains  the  sole  producer;  and  until  quite  recently,  was  also  the  sole 
domestic  source  of  chromite  and  magnesite.  "We  produce  at  least  75% 
of  the  quicksilver  of  the  United  States.  For  some  years,  we  haye  been 
leading  all  others  in  gold  and  platinum ;  while  alternating  in  the  lead 
with  Colorado  in  tungsten,  and  with  Oklahoma  in  petroleum. 

Motor  trucks  have  proven  a  boon  in  opening  up  mineral  properties 
hitherto  an  improfitable  distance  from  railroad  transportation.  The 
advent  and  improvement  of  motor  vehicles  has  induced  the  building 
of  better  roads  everywhere,  thus  benefiting  the  miner  and  farmer,  alike. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   I'KODUCTION. 


11 


The  following  table  shows  the  comparative  yield  of  mineral  substances 
of  California  for  1915  and  1916,  as  compiled  from  the  returns  received 
at  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  San  Francisco,  in  answer  to  inquiries  sent 
to  producers : 


Substance 


1915 


Amount 


Value 


1916 


Amount 


Antimony   ore   

Asbestos    

Barytes     

Bituminous    rocli    

Borax    

Briel<    and    tile 

Cement     

Ciiromite    

Clay— pottery     

Coal     

Cipper    

Dolomite    

Feldspar    

Puller's  earth  

Gems    

Gold     

Granite    

Graphite    

Gypsum    

Infusorial  and   diato- 

maeeous  earths 

Iron  ore  

Lead  

Lime    

Limestone    

Lithia    

Magnesite    

Magnesium    chloride.. 

Manganese   ore    

Marble     

Mineral  paint  

Mineral  water 

Molybdenum    ore   

Natural    gas    

Petroleum   

Platinum    

Potash    

Pumice    and   volcanic 

ash    

Pyrite   

Quicksilver    

Salt    

Sandstone   

Silica    (sand    and 

quartz)     

Silver  

Slate    

Soapstone    and    talc- 

Soda    

Stone,   miscellaneous*. 

Strontium   

Tungsten    c  o  n  c  e  n  - 

trates    

Zinc    


510 
143 
410 

17,789 

67,004 

180,538 

4,918,275 

3,725 

157,866 

10,299 

40,968,966 

4,192 

1,800 


tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

M. 

bbls. 

tons 

tons 

tons 

lbs. 

tons 

tons 

tons 


20,200  tons 

12,400  tons 

724  tons 

2,398  tons 

356,534  lbs. 

146,324  tons 

91  tons 

30,721  tons 


4,013  tons 
22,186  eu.  ft. 
311  tons 
2,274,267  gals. 


21,992,892  M.  cu 
91,146,620  bbls. 
667  ounces 
1,076  tons 

380  tons 
92,462  tons 
14,199  flasks 
169,028  tons 
03,350  cu.  ft. 

28,904  tons 


ft. 


Totals    

Net  increase 


1,000  squares 
1,663  tons 
5,799  tons 


962  tons 
13,043,411  lbs. 


$35,666 

2,860 

620 

61,468 

1,663,521 

1,678,756 

6,044,9.50 

38,044 

133,724 

28,662 

7,169,567 

14,504 

9,000 

4,002 

3,565 

22,442,296 

227,928 


48,^3 

62,(100 
2,.W4 
225,426 
286,304 
156,288 
1,365 
283,461 


49,098 

41.518 

1,756 

467,738 


1,706,480 

43,503,837 

21,149 

19,391 

6,400 

293,148 

1,157,449 

368,737 

8,438 

34,322 

851 ,129 

5,000 

14,7.50 

83,485 

4,783,180 


1,006,467 
1,617,383 


1,015 

145 

1,606 

19,449 

103,52:^ 

206,960 

5,299,.507 

48,943 

134,6:^6 

4,037 

55,809,019 

13,313 

2,630 

110 


tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

M. 

bbls. 

tons 

tons 

tons 

lbs. 

tons 

tons 

tons 


29,190  lbs. 
33,384  tons 


15,322 

3,000 

6,196 

493,635 

187,521 

71 

154,052 

861 

13,404 

25,954 

643 

2,273,817 

8 

28,134,365 

50,262,557 

886 

17,908 


tons 

tons 

tons 

lbs. 

tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

tons 

cu.  ft. 

tons 

gals. 

tons 

M.  cu. 

bbls. 

ounces 

tons 


ft. 


1,246  tons 
120,,525  tons 

21,427  flasks 
186,148  tons 

17,270  cu.  ft. 

30,880  tons 


Value 


$64,79! 

2,380 

5,516 

66,561 

2,44,9.375 

2,096,570 

6,210,293 

717,244 

146,538 

7,080 

13,729,017 

46,566 

14,350 

550 

4,752 

21,410,741 

5:J5,3.':9 

2,335 

59,533 

80,649 

6,000 

&55,049 

390,475 

217,733 

1,065 

1,311,893 

6,407 

274,601 

50,280 

3,960 

410,112 

9,945 

2,871,751 

57,421,334 

42,642 

663,605 

18,092 

372,969 

2,003,425 

455,695 

10,271 

48,9'8 
1,687,345 


l,7(t3  tons 
10,593  tons 


57  tons 

2,270  tons 
15,950,565  lbs. 


9,831 

264,825 

4,171,519 

2,850 

j      4,571,521 
I      2,137,375 


196,663,369    Ifl27,901,610 


Increases- 
Decrease — 
Value 


$29,127  + 

480— 

4,896+ 

5.093  + 

745.8,54  + 

417.814  + 

165.343  + 

679.200+ 

12,814  + 

19,632— 

6,559,450+ 

32,062  + 

5,350+ 

3.452— 

1.187  + 

1,031.555— 

307.411  + 

2,335  + 

10,580+ 


18, 

3, 

629, 

104, 

61 

1,028, 

6, 

225, 

8, 

2 

57 

9, 

1,165, 

13,917, 

21, 

644, 


,649+ 
,416  + 
623  + 

,171  + 
,445  + 
300— 
432  + 
,407+ 
,503  + 
,762  + 
,204  + 
,626— 
,945+ 
,271  + 
,497  + 
,493  + 
214+ 


11.692  + 

79,821  + 

845.976+ 

86.958+ 

1.833  + 

14,.586+ 

8.36.216+ 

5.000— 

4.919— 

181.340+ 

611.661— 

2,850+ 

3,.566,054  + 
519,992+ 


131,238.241  + 


^Includes  macadam,  ballast,  rubble, 
pebbles. 


rip-rap,  paving  blocks,  sand,  gravel,   and  grinding   mill 


12 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  following  table  shows  the  comparative  value  of  the  mineral  pro- 
duction of  the  various  counties  in  the  state  for  the  vears  1915  and  1916. 


County 


Alameda  

Alpine    

Amador  

Butte    

Calaveras   

Colusa  

Contra  Costa  -.. 

Del  Norte 

El  Dorado  

Fresno  

Glenn    

Humboldt    

Imperial  

Inyo  

Kern 

Kings    

Lake   .— 

Lassen  

Los  Angeles 

Madera    ..- -. 

Marin   

Mariposa   

Mendocino    

Merced  __. 

Modoc    

Mono    

Monterej'   

Napa  

Nevada    

Orange  

Placer    

Plumas    

Riverside   

Sacramento    

San  Benito  

San  Bernardino 

San  Diego  

San  Francisco  -. 

San  Joaquin  

San  Luis  Obispo. 

San  Mateo   

Santa  Barbara  . 

Santa  Clara  

Santa  Cruz  

Shasta  

Sierra  

Siskiyou   

Solano  

Sonoma  . 

Stanislaus    

Sutter    

Tehama    

Trinity    

Tulare   

Tuolumne 

Ventura    

Yolo    

Yuba  


1915 


$861,683 


Totals 


4,063,762 

1,622,245 

2,161,893 

16,003 

1,309,505 

4,524 

428,336 

8,152,300 

46,667 

358,686 

77,433 

2,771,042 

25,335,184 

18,608 

72,534 

870 

4,168.612 

145,063 

160,528 

412,326 

24.536 

94,032 

8.681 

109,425 

84,986 

884.221 

3,492,946 

6,617,112 

963,860 

745,715 

1,349,591 

2.562,281 

642,065 

2,674.042 

211,129 

128,270 

248,394 

227.632 

177,891 

3,984,966 

635,229 

1,581,531 

8,350,133 

729,518 

514,094 

1,335,923 

276,104 

191,771 


4,702 

499,511 

184,599 

1,171,438 

904,767 

2,040 

2,862,430 


1916 


$1,094,167 


3,811,428 

1,356,925 

2,965,592 

42,803 

1,279,060 

2,432 

470,687 

8,061.193 

81,162 

274.895 

105,333 

4,600,096 

37,826,907 

26.788 

180,996 

9,725 

4,463,045 

222.758 

178,306 

487,971 

55,680 

81,530 

3,559 

240,990 

109,872 

1,078,537 

3.744.143 

8,905,086 

1,042,629 

1,399,335 

1,234,252 

2,178,674 

1.213.447 

6.569,147 

397,168 

76,437 

468,862 

245,807 

135,408 

4,535,029 

851,948 

1.679,111 

13,639,508 

729,497 

580,896 

1,205.335 

472.048 

253.022 

6.450 

54.353 

846.561 

947,200 

1,004.262 

1,135,430 

300 

3,237,828 


$96,663,369      $127,901,610 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


13 


CHAPTER  TWO. 


FUELS. 

Among  the  most  important  mineral  products  of  California  are  its 
fuels.  This  subdivision  includes  coal,  natural  gas  and  petroleum,  the 
combined  values  of  which  make  up  approximately  50  per  cent  of  the 
state's  entire  mineral  industry.  Comparison  of  values  during  1915 
and  1916  is  shown  in  the  following  table : 


1915 

1916 

Increase4. 

Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Decrease — > 
Value 

Coal   

Natural  gas  

Petroleum       

10,299  tons 
21,992,892  M.  cu.  ft. 
91,146,620  bbls. 

1 
$26,662            4,037  tons 

1,706,480     28,131,36.5  M.  ca.  ft. 

43,503,837     90.262.557  bbls. 

s       $7,030 

2,871,751 

57,421,334 

$19,632— 
1.165,271+ 
13,917,497+ 

Totals 

$45,236,979 

$60,300,115 

^^et  inrrease 

$15,063,136  + 

COAL. 

Bihliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VII,  XII,  XIII,  XIV. 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bulletins  285,  316,  431,  471,  581 ;  An.  Rep.  22  Pt.  III. 

Coal  has  been  produced  in  California  since  as  early  as  1860,  and  until 
the  development  of  crude  oil  was  an  important  factor  in  the  mineral 
industry  of  the  state.  As  most  of  it  is  lignite,  the  quality  is  generally 
poor  as  compared  with  other  coals  on  the  Pacific  Coast  markets.  How- 
ever, in  competition  with  fuel  oil,  coal  of  all  grades  has  had  to  take 
second  place.  Besides  the  counties  noted  below  as  showing  a  commer- 
cial production,  workable  bodies  of  coal  are  also  known  in  several  others, 
including  Alameda,  Mendocino,  Shasta,  Siskiyou  and  Riverside. 

During  1916,  there  was  a  production  reported  from  Amador  and 
Contra  Costa  counties,  totaling  4,037  tons,  worth  $7,030.  In  the  first 
named  county,  most  of  the  product  was  briquetted  before  placing  on  the 
market. 

Though  no  exact  figures  of  output  previous  to  1887  are  available,  it  is 
known  that  many  hundred  thousand  tons  were  shipped  from  the  Mount 


14 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Diablo  district,  Contra  Costa  Comity,  between  the  years  1860  and  1887. 
Since  1887,  the  annual  output  of  coal  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 


1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 


Tons 

Value 

50.000 

$150,000 

95,000 

380,000 

121,280 

288,232 

110,711 

283,019 

93.301 

204,902 

85,178 

209,711 

72,603 

167,555 

59.887 

139,862 

79,858 

193,790 

70,649 

161,335 

87,449 

196,255 

143,045 

337,475 

160,941 

420.109 

176,956 

535,531 

150,724 

401,772 

88.460 

248,622 

Tear 


1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


Tons 


Totals    2,069,056 


Value 


93,026 

$265,383 

79,062 

376,494 

46.500 

144,500 

24,850 

61,600 

23.734 

55,849 

18,496 

55,503 

49,389 

216,913 

11,033 

23,484 

11,047 

18,297 

14,484 

39,092 

25,198 

85,809 

11,859 

28.806 

10,299 

26,662 

4,037 

7,030 

$5,723,592 


NATURAL    GAS. 
Bihliographij:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VII,  X,  XII,  XIII,  XIV. 
Bulletins  3,  16,  19,  69,  73. 

Statistics  on  the  production  of  natural  gas  in  California  have  been 
largely  guesswork  in  the  past,  though  each  year  becoming  less  so,  as  more 
data  are  available.  The  figures  here  given  are  certainly  far  below  the 
actual  production,  particularly  in  the  six  oil-producing  counties.  It  is 
an  exceptional  oil  property  where  gas  in  some  quantity  does  not  occur. 
Many  oil-producing  concerns  make  no  mention  of  their  gas,  because  they 
have  no  method  of  measuring  it,  and  it  is  so  widely  used  in  the  oil  fields 
that  it  is  frequently  as  lightly  regarded  as  sunshine  or  fresh  air. 
Doubtless,  considerable  gas  is  wasted,  but  a  sweeping  condemnation  of 
operators  should  not  be  indulged  in.  It  must  be  remembered  that 
several  of  our  important  oil  fields  are  removed  many  miles  from  the  site 
of  any  other  indiLstrj',  and  that  the  gathering  of  small  amounts  of  gas 
and  transporting  it  for  any  considerable  distance,  may  not  always  be 
profitable.  However,  it  is  undoubtedly  a  fact  that  greater  saving  can 
frequently  be  made  w^ith  profit.  Gas  traps  of  various  size  and  design 
are  coming  into  more  frequent  use.  Some  large  operators  are  making 
commendable  efforts  to  con.serve  the  gas  which  accompanies  oil  and  is 
richer  than  the  so-called  "dry  gas"  occurring  in  strata  which  do  not 
produce  oil.  As  far  as  possible,  casing-head  gas  is  used  in  driving  gas 
engines  for  pumping  and  drilling,  and  in  firing  the  boilere  of  steam- 
driven  plants. 

In  a  hearing  before  the  California  Railroad  Commission,  in  May, 
1916,  relative  to  gas  rates  in  the  Los  Angeles  territory,  part  of  the  testi- 
mony .showed  in  the  Midway  field  46,600,000  cubic  feet  of  natural  gas 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


15 


available  per  24  hours.  This  is  made  up  of  28.750,000  feet  from  the 
dry  gas  wells  and  17,850,000  feet  from  wells  producing  both  gas  and  oil. 
It  was  estimated  that  this  supply  would  have  a  life  of  from  seven  to 
ten  years.  The  Midway  pipe  line  is  capable  of  transmitting  23,000,000 
cubic  feet  per  day. 

It  will  be  noted  that  several  counties  produce  gas  which  is  not 
accompanied  by  oil,  particularly  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  where 
it  is  mixed  with  manufactured  gas  for  domestic  service. 

The  value  of  gas  as  here  shown  may  be  open  to  some  question,  but 
is  certainly  not  too  high,  as  regards  the  oil  counties.  The  average  price 
is  about  6^  per  1,000  cubic  feet.  Approximately  7,000  cu.  ft.  of  gas 
is  equal  to  one  barrel  of  oil  in  heating  value,  and  is  so  accounted  for  by 
many  operators.  In  driving  gas  engines,  about  4,000  cu.  ft.  per  24  hr. 
are  consumed  by  a  25  h.p.  engine,  and  63,700  cu.  ft.  per  day  for  heating 
a  70  h.p.  steam  boiler,  which  figures  have  been  used  in  compiling  this 
report. 

Natural    Gas,    1916. 


County 


diiblc  feet 


Value 


Fresno   

Kern    

Kings    

Los  Angeles  

Orange  

San  Joaquin  

Santa  Barbara  

Ventura    

Humboldt,  Sacramento,  Solano,  and  Tehama* 

Totals    


2,346,917 

16,679,658 

258 

2,083,664 

2,278,922 

182,441 

3,660,410 

806,540 

95,555 


28,134,365 


$163,941 

1,379,033 

608 

139,522 

139,281 

141,605 

724,746 

133,867 

49,148 


$2,871,751 


♦Combined  to  conceal  an  Individual  producer  in  each. 

The  annual  production  of  natural  gas  in  California  since  1888  is  as 
follows : 


Tear 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1888 

$10,000 
12.680 
33,000 
30,000 

1904  

ii:91 .0?5 

1889 

1905  

102,479 

1890                  

1906 

109,489 

1891 

1907  

114,759 

1892 

55,000 

1908   -   

474.584 

1893 

68,500 
79,072 
112,000 
111,457 
62,657 
74,424 
95,000 
34,578 
92,034 
99.443 
74,237 

1909  

616.932 

1894 

1910    

1,676,367 

1895 

1911       _ 

491,859 

1896 

1912             

940,076 

1897 

1913 

1.053,292 

1898 

1914       .    

1,049,470 

1899 

1915           

1,706.480 

1900 

1916            

2,871,751 

1901  -  . 

Total  

1902 

19a3 

$12,342,655 

16 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OP  CALIFORNIA, 


Gasoline  from  Natural  Gas. 

As  above  indicated,  more  or  less  gas  usually  accompanies  the  petrol- 
eum in  the  oil  fields.  A  number  of  plants  are  in  operation  manu- 
facturing gasoline  by  compression  from  this  "casing-head  gas."  This 
subject  was  investigated  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines  and  the  U.  S. 
Geological  Survey,  and  described  in  considerable  detail  by  G.  A.  Burrell 
et  al.,^  and  J.  D.  Northrup.^  A  valuable  article  also  appeared  in  one 
of  the  trade  journals.^  Upon  the  enlargement  of  its  engineering  force, 
in  the  near  future,  the  Department  of  Petroleum  and  Gas,  of  the  State 
Mining  Bureau,  intends  to  conduct  a  more  detailed  investigation  of 
natural  gas  production  with  the  idea  of  being  able  to  point  out  means 
of  more  economical  use  of  this  splendid  natural  resource. 

The  largest  natural  gas  field  of  commercial  importance  thus  far 
developed  in  California  is  in  the  Midway  district,  followed  by  Santa 
Barbara,  Orange  and  Los  Angeles  counties,  in  the  order  named.  The 
Southern  California  Gas  Company  operates  a  12-ineh  pipe  line  from 
the  Midway  field,  a  distance  of  107  miles,  to  Los  Angeles,  where  it 
supplies  gas  to  local  distributing  companies.  The  Valley  Natural  Gas 
Company  supplies  gas  to  consumers  in  the  Midway  field  and  to  local 
distributing  companies  at  Fellows,  Taft,  Maricopa,  Bakersfield,  and  the 
Kern  River  fields.  The  Santa  Maria  Gas  and  Power  Company  dis- 
tributes gas  around  Santa  Maria,  from  wells  in  the  neighboring  oil 
fields. 

There  Avere  in  operation  in  1916  a  total  of  31  plants  making  casing- 
head  gasoline  by  compression,  with  a  total  daily  capacity  estimated  at 
61,400  gallons,  distributed  as  follows: 


Field 


Number 
plants 


Gallons 
daily 


Coalinga    - 

Whittier-Fullerton    

Midway   

Santa  Maria  

Salt  Lake  (Los  Angeles) 
Ventura    

Totals    


1 
9 

8 
7 
3 
3 


31 


2,000 

15,850 

16,700 

19,900 

3,600 

3.350 


61,400 


At  Santa  Maria,  after  the  gasoline  is  extracted,  the  remaining  "dry 
gas"  is  taken  into  the  pipe  lines  of  the  Santa  Maria  Gas  and  Power 
Company,  by  whom  it  is  distributed  to  consumers,  both  domestic  and 
commercial. 

In  the  Midway  field,  some  of  the  casing-head  gasoline  is  obtained  as 
an  incidental  product  to  the  compressing  of  the  natural  gas  preliminary 


^U.   S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bull.   88. 

^U.  S.  G.  S..  Min.   Res.   1914,  Ft.  H.  pp.   793-795;   798-800;   804-805. 

sQll  &  Gas  Journal,  Tulsa,  Okla..  Jan.  13,  1916,  p.  62. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  17 

to  traiismissioii  tlirouiiii  the  gas  pipe  lines.  Some  eoiieerns  market 
casing-head  gasoline  separately,  while  others  turn  it  into  the  oil  pipe 
lines,  thus  mixing  this  high-gravit}-  gasoline  with  the  crude  oil  for 
transportation  to  the  refinery,  where  it  is  later  regained.  A  total  of 
approximately  18,000,000  gallons  of  casing-head  gasoline  from  all  fields 
was  made  during  1916,  and  utilized  directly  as  such.  Santa  Barl)ara 
County  led  in  this  output  with  a  total  of  8,867,216  gallons,  Kern  beiqg 
second  with  6.616,208  gallons. 

*"Tlieri'  arc  many  peculiarities  in  connection  with  the  extraction  of  gasoline 
from  gas  that  are  ascertained  only  through  the  closest  study.  The  percentage  of 
ga.soliiie  taken  from  the  highest  grades  of  oil,  it  is  natural  to  infer,  is  much  greater 
than  tliat  taken  from  low  grades  of  oil,  and  yet  this  does  not  alway.s  prove  to  be 
the  case.  Much  depends  upon  the  amount  of  oil  produced  with  the  relative  amount 
of  gas  coming  with  the  oil.  For  instance,  if  an  oil  well  is  a  small  producer  of  oil 
and  a  heavy  gasser,  the  percentage  of  gasoline  is  much  larger  than  it  would  be 
from  the  same  amount  of  gas  coming  from  a  large  production  of  oil.  Old  wells  seem 
to  be  more  prolific  in  gasoline  than  new  wells. 

"Aside  from  the  Salt  Lake  field,  only  a  small  percentage  of  the  gas  coming  from 
low-grade  oil  has  proved  to  be  of  commercial  value.  This  is  especially  true  among 
new  producing  wells  where  the  oil  is  of  a  gravity  below  18  degrees. 

"It  is  stated  that  as  a  general  average  gas  coming  from  grades  of  oil  of  from 
22°-25°,  will  make  from  four  to  six  quarts  to  the  thousand  feet  of  gas;  from 
25°-29°  it  will  average  from  two  to  three  gallons  per  thousand  feet,  and  above  29° 
it  will  average  from  three  to  five  gallons  per  thousand  feet. 

"The  richest  gas  so  far  discovered  in  the  state  is  that  found  in  the  old  Newhall 
field.     The  wells  are  all  very  old  and  small  i)i'oducers  of  high-gravity  oil." 

PETROLEUM. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  VII,  X,  XII,  XIII. 
Rnlletins  ^,  11,  16,  19,  31,  82,  63,  69,  73. 

Chief  of  the  fuels  of  California  is  petroleum.  .A.  complete  descrip- 
tion of  the  industry  is  to  be  found  in  Bulletin  69,  issued  in  1915  by  the 
State  jMining  Bureau ;  supplemented  by  Bulletin  73,  First  Annual 
Eeport  of  the  Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor  for  the  fiscal  year  1915-1916. 
The  state  law  providing  for  the  regulation  of  drilling  and  maintenance 
of  oil  and  gas  Avells  by  the  State  ^Mining  Bureau  has  been  in  effect 
since  1915.  The  chief  aim  is  to  protect  the  oil  deposits  from  damage 
and  to  aid  producers  in  their  work.  A  staff  of  teclmicall}^  trained 
men  maintain  offices  in  the  various  fields.  California  is  certainly  not 
exceeded  by  any  other  state  in  its  efforts  to  accurately  keep  in  touch 
with  the  oil  l)usiness. 

The  oil  production  for  California  for  1916,  as  determined  from  the 
sworn  statements  made  to  the  State  ^Mineralogist  for  the  Department 
of  Petroleum  and  Gas,  by  the  386  producers  from  6,873  wells  (exclusive 
of  the  Los  Angeles  City  field)  amounted  to  87,063,195  barrels  net. 
"Net"  means  that  a  deduction  of  approximately  2%  has  been  made 
for  water,  and  that  oil  consumed  for  fuel  at  the  wells  is  not  included. 
This  shows  a  decrease  of  1,177,425  barrels  from  the  similar  net  figures 


*0.  &  G.  Journal,  loc.  cit. 
2—31821 


18  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIP^ORNIA. 

for  1915.  When  the  sauie  deductions  for  water  and  fuel  have  been 
made  from  the  figures  already  published  by  the  Standard  Oil  Company 
and  the  Independent  Oil  Producers  Agency,  it  will  be  seen  that  they 
are  in  very  close  agreement  with  the  87,063,195  barrels  above  recorded. 
Of  this  total,  39.7%  or  34,605,021  barrels  was  produced  by  the  five 
large  refining  and  marketing  companies,  and  14.9%  or  12,997,653  bar- 
rels by  the  railroad  companies  who  use  the  oil  in  their  own  service. 
The  remaining  39,460,521  barrels  or  54.6%  is  credited  to  the  smaller 
producers  who  usually  sell  the  crude  oil  at  the  well. 

To  the  above  amount,  we  have  here  added  2,914,362  barrels  consumed 
for  fuel  at  the  wells,  and  285,000  barrels  net  output  of  the  Los  Angeles 
City  fields,  making  a  total  gross  output  for  the  year  1916  of  90,262,557 
barrels  valued  at  $57,421,334.  As  compared  to  1915  this  is  a  decrease 
of  884,063  barrels  in  quantity.  l)ut  an  increase  of  nearly  $14,000,000 
or  32%  in  value.  This  great  jump  in  value  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
average  price  per  barrel  for  all  fields  and  all  grades  increased  from 
47.9^  in  1915  to  63.6^  in  1916.  The  total  or  average  figures  on  price 
may  be  open  to  some  question,  as  it  must  be  remembered  that  a  large 
portion  of  the  crude  oil  does  not  enter  the  open  market,  but  is  con- 
sumed or  refined  directly  by  the  producers.  The  prices  given  are  for 
the  oil  which  is  actually  sold,  and  are  known  to  be  accurate. 

The  decrease  in  quantity  produced  resulted  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  drilling  activity  increased  the  number  of  producing  wells 
by  464  (as  shown  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  records),  and  added 
6,317  acres  to  the  area  of  proved  oil  land;  and  also,  in  spite  of  the 
incentive  of  increased  demand  and  prices.  The  decrease  occurred 
mainly  in  Santa  Barbara  County  with  a  loss  of  1,132,328  barrels,  and 
the  Midway-Sunset  field,  resulting  in  Kern  County's  showing  a  net 
loss  of  690,160  barrels.  Los  Angeles  and  Ventura  counties  showed 
small  losses.  On  the  other  hand,  Fresno  County  increased  by  573,221 
barrels,  and  Orange  County  by  483,134  barrels.  San  Luis  Obispo 
County  again  entered  the  producing  list,  with  a  small  output.  Several 
causes  contributed  to  the  decline.  The  two  prominent  ones  are:  the 
tying  up  by  Federal  suits  and  withdrawals  of  the  one  district  of  the 
State  which  promises  the  most  for  future  development,  namely,  the 
Midway-Sunset ;  and  the  fact  that  in  nearly  all  the  fields  there  is  a 
decline  in  the  number  of  barrels  per  well  per  day  yield. 

The  production  figures  for  1916  compared  with  1915  were: 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 
Production   and    Value   of   Oil    by   Counties. 


19 


County 


1915 


1916 


Barrels  Value  Barrels  Value 


Fresno  14,021,025 

Kern    54,810,669 

Los  Angeles  2.931,098 

Orange    12,715.457 

San  Luis  Obispo 

Santa  Barbara  5,634,534 

Santa  Clara  16.617 

Ventura    1.017,220 


Totals    91,146,620 


$7,641,459 

23.184.913 

1.843,661 

6,510,314 


3,442,700 

11,067 

869,723 


14,594,246 

54,120,509 

2,875,468 

13,198,591 

11,670 

4,502,206 

16,368 

943,499 


$7,530,631 

34,691,246 

1,871,930 

8.750,666 

5,252 

3.574,752 

10,901 

985,956 


$43,503,837  I    90.262,557  \  $57,421,334 


Average   Price  of  Oil,   by   Counties,   in   Cents   per    Barrel. 


County 


Fresno  

Kern   

Los  Angeles  _— 

Orange   

Santa  Barbara 
Santa  Clara  -. 
Ventura  


1914 


45.2<J 
40.9<f 
55.00 
67.5<* 
46.0<i 
53.0<S 
105.0«> 


State  average 


46.1(J 


1915 

54.5<f 
42.3«> 
62.9«( 
51.2«i 
61.1«; 
66.6<i 
85.5<; 


47.9«( 


1916 

51.60 
64.10 
65.10 
66.30 
79.40 
66.60 
104.50 


63.60 


The  annual  production  since  discovery  in  1875  is  as  follows : 


Tear 


Barrels 


Tear 


1875  .  ,  

175.000  ' 

12,000 

13,000 

15,227 

19,858 

40,552 

99,862 

128,636 

142.857 

262,000 

325,000 

377,145  1 

678.572  ; 

690,333  : 

303,220 

307,360 

323,600 

385,049 

470.179 

783.078 

1,245,339 

1,257,780 

1876        

1877  .  . 1 

1878         

1879      

1880  -- 

1881     -   

1882            -   

1883        — 

1884         -   

1885                

1886         -   

1887    

1888        - 

1889    

1890        —  

1891  

1892         -  

1893               

1894     .  

1895        .  .    

1886  

1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 


BaiTfcls 


1,911,569 
2,249,088 
2,677,875 
4,319,950 
7,710,315 


1902  14,356,910 

1903  :  24,340,839 

1904  29,736,003 

1905  34,275,701 

1906  32.624,000 

1907  40311,171 

1908  48,.306,910 

1909  58,191,723 

1910  77,697,568 

1911  84,648,157 

1912  '  89,689,250 

1913  :  98,494.532 

1914  !  102,881,907 


1915 
1916 


Total 


91,146,620 
90.262,557 

943.888.292 


20  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

The  total  value  since  1887  is  as  follows: 


Tear 


Value 


1887-1909         .  .             .  .         -  . 

$136  693  228 

1910 -- 

37,689,542 

1911                     

40  552  088 

1912    

41,868,344 

1913           

48,578  014 

1914 --    

47,487,109 

1915 - 

43,503  837 

1916          .          .      -      - 

57,421,334 

Total       ---        

$453,793,499 

Production    by   Fields.* 
(In    barrels    of    42    gallons.) 


Field 


1915 


1016 


Kern  River I  8,034,974 

McKittrick  |  3,552,801 

Midway-Siinsct    I  39,318,093 

Lost   Hills^Bt'lridgc   '  4,318,550 

Coalinga   13,548,159 

Lompoc  and  Santa  Maria 4,536,840 

Ventura  County  and  Newhall 1,036,305 

Los  Angeles  and  Salt  Lake :  2,110,133 

Whittier-Fullerton    j  13,030,549 

Summerland    I  53,000 


Watsonvillc 


27,375 


Totals    89,566,779 

Net  increase  


8,402,525 
3,230,644 

38.925,476 
4,852,431 

14,381,493 
4,422,410 
1,122,033 
1,721,453 

14,679,672 
56,775 
27,450 


91,822,362 


Increase  4- 
Decrease — 


367,551+ 

322,157— 

392,617— 

.133,881+ 

833,334+ 

114,430— 

85,728+ 

388,680— 

1,649,123+ 

3,775+ 

75+ 


2,255,583 


*Stanclard   Oil   Bulletin.   .January,   1017. 

The  following  ttible  i.s  eominled  from  the  monthly  statements  of  the 
statistical  bniM^au  of  the  Independent  Oil   Producers  Agency: 

Well   Operations,   by    IVlonths,   1916. 


Month 


Number 
completed 


Producing 


Drilling 


January   

February  

March    

April  

May  

June    

July    

August    

September  [        ^ 

October    |        ^2 

November    ^^ 


49 
41 
35 
53 
49 
57 
60 
51 


December 


57 


Totals,   1916  .- 621 


Totals,   1915  

Totals,   1914   

Monthly  average,     1916. 

Monthly    average,    1915. 

Monthly  average,  1914.— 


334 

438 

52 

28 

37 


6,142 
6,040 
6,282 
6,368 
6,432 
6,522 
6,625 
6,696 
6,762 
6,845 
6,882 
6.908 


167 
176 
195 
220 
250 
235 
247 
248 
259 
286 
284 
286 


6,542 
6,015 
5.867 


238 
145 
222 


Abandoned 


23 

11 

4 

21 

29 

33 

6 

8 

19 

25 

14 

20 


213 

176 

129 

18 

15 

11 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


21 


The  following:  table  is  eompiled  from  the  monthly  statements  con- 
tained in  the  Standard  Oil  Bulletin : 


Well    Operations,    by    Fields,    1916. 


Field 

Producing 
Dec.  1915 

Producing 
Dec.  I'JIG 

Increase-l- 
Decrease — 

Completed 

Aban- 
doned 

Kern   River  ._  _    -_ 

1,684 
276 

1,418 
248 
804 
237 
444 
691 
613 
112 
5 

1,908 
293 

1,710 
350 
949 
249 
446 
674 
637 
112 
5 

224+ 

17+ 

292+ 

102+ 

145+ 

12+ 

2+ 

17— 

24+ 

106 

21 

209 

114 

36 

11 

12 

2 

56 

5 

McKittrick       _,      

5 

Midwav-Snnset     .  .      _.    _.      .  . 

15 

Lost  Hills-Belridge  

Coalinga __...__      _ 

4 
11 

Santa  Maria-Lompoc ._ 

12 

Ventnra  County  and  New  hall 

Los  Angeles  and  Salt  Lake 

Whittier-FuIIerton 

Siimmerland     _  _      _ 

7 
11 
10 

Watsonville 

1 

Totals      ._- 

6,532 

7,333 

801+ 

567 

80 

^ 

The  records  of  the  Department  of  Petroleum  and  Gas  of  the  State 
rJining  Bureau  show  164  wells  abandoned  during  the  year.  It  will  be 
noted  that  the  two  foregoing-  tables  are  far  from  being  in  agreement 
with  this  figure  or  with  eacli  otlier.  There  is  evidently  a  wide  diver- 
gence of  opinion  as  to  the  definition  of  "abandonment." 

The  proportion  of  heavy  and  light  oil  produced  in  the  various  fields 
is  shown  by  the  following  figures,  for  which  wc  are  indebted  to  the 
Standard  Oil  Company.  Oil  below  18°  Baume  may  be  considered  as 
largely  unrefinable,  or  fuel,  oil;  while  the  lighter  oils  yield  varying 
amounts  of  refined  products  and  a  very  large  proportion  of  residuum 
or  fuel  oil.  A  very  few  years  ago,  the  total  amount  of  heavy  oil  was  in 
excess  of  the  light  oil. 


Production    of   Light   and    Heavy    Oil    by    Fields,    1916. 


Field 


Under  IS", 
barrels 


Kern  River 

McKittrick  

Midway-Sunset 

Lost  Hills-Belridge 

Coalinga  

Lompoc  and  Santa  Maria 

Ventura  County  and  Newliall. 

Los  Angeles  and  Salt  Lake 

Whitticr-Pullerton    

Summer]  and   

Watsonville    


Totals 


IS"  and 

over. 

barrels 


Totals, 
barrels 


8,402, 
3,230, 

10,888, 

578. 

5,807, 

834, 

107, 

1,624, 

270, 

56, 


525 
644 
980 
018 
685 
945 
698 
273 
454 
775 


28.036,496 
4,274,413 
8,-573,808 
3,587,465 
1,014,335 
97,180 

14,409,218 

'""27I50" 


8, 
3, 

38, 
4, 

14, 
4, 
1, 
1 

14 


402,525 
230,644 
925,476 
852,431 
381,493 
422,410 
122,033 
721,453 
679,672 
56,775 
27,450 


31,801,997  !    60,020,365      91,822,362 


22 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Financial   Results. 

Financial  results  of  the  oil  business  during  1916,  are  shown  by  the 
following  tables.  The  outstanding  features  are:  1.  the  substantial 
increase  of  prices  for  all  grades  over  the  1915  figures;  2,  a  decrease  in 
nearly  all  fields  in  the  number  of  barrels  per  well  per  day  yield ;  3.  an 
increase  in  operating  costs  per  barrel,  resulting  in  raising  the  cost  per 
well  per  day.  The  profitable,  or  dividend-paying  companies  received  a 
slightly  higher  figure  for  their  product  than  the  average  market  price, 
probably  due  to  the  higher  grade  of  oil  produced  by  them.  It  is  also 
noticeable  that  their  production  cost  per  barrel  is  usually  lower  than  the 
average,  due  to  the  fact  that  their  wells  are  more  productive.  Operat- 
ing cost  per  well  is  not  always  lower  for  the  dividend  companies  than 
others.  Profitable  operations  seem  to  depend  generally  upon  large 
wells,  high-grade  oil,  and  proximity  to  market.  There  is  nothing  to 
indicate  that  unnatural  causes  or  manipulations  have  affected  the 
profits  of  one  producer  against  another.  It  may  be  noted  that  both 
price  and  profits  are  greater  in  the  Los  Angeles-Orange-Ventura  fields 
than  in  others,  doubtless  largely  due  to  the  proximity  to  market  and 
high  grade  of  oil. 

In  addition  to  consuming  the  current  production  of  crude  oil,  the 
storage  was  drawn  upon  at  an  average  rate  in  excess  of  1,000,000  bar- 
rels per  month  during  1916.  According  to  the  Standard  Oil  Com- 
pany^, the  stocks  on  hand  on  December  31, 1916,  amounted  to  44,036,190 
barrels,  a  decrease  of  13.110,861  barrels  from  the  57,147,051  barrels  on 
hand  December  31,  1915.  The  monthly  bulletins  of  the  Independent 
Oil  Producers  Agency  show  practically  the  same  results — 43,640,294 
barrels,  being  a  decrease  of  12,336,886  barrels. 


Financial  and  Operating  Condition  of  C 

allfornia 

Oil   Fields,   1916. 

■Number  of 
companies 
considered 

Per  cent 
of  total 
prodnrt 
of  field 

Capital 

Field 

Cash 

Property 

Coalinga        _      _    __         _    ._ 

34 

49 

64] 

23  f 

16 

12 

18 

27 

49 
36 

23 

38 
73 
13 
20 

$4,312,037        $48,172,544 

Kern  River     _  . .      .    

5,516,743  !         4,004,737 

Midway  

Sunset   

McKittrick,  Lost  Hills.  Belridge 

Santa  Maria,  Lompoc,  Snmmerland 
Ventura       __  _      . .- _  _    

f      4,393,957 

}      2,422,351 

603,209 

2,358,983 

1 .020.693 

3,434,155 

31,659,812 
9,411.338 
9,601,525 

13,544.251 
2,113.170 

liOS  Angeles  and  Orange.-  _       _    _ 

7.952,843 

Subtotals                      .      -      - 

243 

25 

$24,062,128 
64,523,556 

$126,460,220 

Miscellaneous    and   marketing 

Totals                                       -    -  -- 

16 

10.958,205 

268 

1 

$88,585,684      $137,418,425 

1 

i 

L_ 

•"^standard  Oil  Bulletin,  January,   1917. 


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MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


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STATISTICS    OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


25 


Proved  Oil   Land. 

The  present  extent  of  proved  oil  land  in  California  as  determined 
by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  is  138  square  miles,  or  86,-179  acres,  of 
which  56,122  acres  are  in  Kern  County  alone.  Fresno  County  is 
second  on  the  list  with  12,703  acres,  and  Santa  Barbara  County  third 
with  9,808  acres.  The  other  counties  in  order  of  their  rank  are 
Orange,  Los  Angeles,  Ventura,  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  Santa  Clara.  The 
increase  in  the  proved  oil  land  area  as  compared  to  the  1915  figures 
was  principally  in  Santa  Barbara  County  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Casmalia 
and  at  the  Bell  ranch,  near  Santa  Maria.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that 
the  total  area  of  proved  oil  laud  is  most  insignificant  in  comparison 
with  the  area  of  the  entire  state,  l)eing  less  than  one  one-thousandth 
part,  and  yet  the  oil  luisiness  is  one  of  the  state's  most  important 
industries. 

Estimates  of  the  total  amount  of  oil  which  can  be  recovered  from 
the  land  are  little  better  than  pure  guesses  but  it  does  seem  most  prob- 
able that  the  average  acre  will  ultimately  yield  much  less  than  fifty 
thousand  barrels. 

The  area.s  of  proved  land  are  as  follows : 


County 

Acres 

County 

Acres 

Fresno   

Kern      _  _  _      ______    

12,703 

56,122 
2,174 
3,297 
1.523 

! Santa  Barbara  

San   Luis   Obispo 

9,808 
772 

Los  Angeles 

Santa  Clara 

80 

Orange  

Ventura    

i         Total      .                .      .      _ 

86,479 

26  MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CAI>IFORNIA. 


CHAPTER  THREE. 

METALS. 

The  total  value  of  metals  produced  in  California  during  1916  was 
$46,792,454.  The  chief  of  these  is,  aiid  always  has  been,  gold,  folloAved 
in  order  in  3916  by  copper,  tungsten,  zinc,  quicksilver,  silver,  lead, 
manganese,  antimony,  platinum,  molybdenum  and  iron.  Deposits  of 
ores  of  nickel  and  vanadium  are  also  to  be  found  in  the  state,  although 
for  1916  there  was  no  commercial  output  of  them. 

California  leads  all  states  in  the  Union  in  her  gold  production  and 
the  precious  metal  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  State.  Twenty- 
eight  of  the  fifty-eight  counties  contain  actively  operated  gold  mines 
or  dredges. 

Copper,  which  is  second  in  importance  among  the  metals  of  the 
State,  occurs  in  the  following  general  districts:  the  Shasta  County  belt, 
which  is  by  far  the  most  important ;  the  Coast  Range  deposits,  extend- 
ing more  or  less  continuously  from  Del  Norte  in  the  north  to  San 
Luis  Obispo  County  in  the  south;  the  Sierra  Nevada  foothill  belt, 
starting  in  Plumas  and  running  in  a  general  southerly  and  south- 
easterly direction  through  the  Mother  Lode  counties  and  ending  in 
Kern ;  the  eastern  belt  in  Mono  and  Inyo  counties ;  and  the  southern 
belt,  in  San  Bernardino,  Riverside,  and  San  Diego  counties. 

Silver  is  not  generally  found  alone  in  the  state,  but  is  associated 
to  a  greater  or  les.s  extent  with  gold,  copper,  lead,  and  zinc. 

Quicksilver  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the  state's  staple  prod- 
ucts and  California  supplies  at  least  75  per  cent  of  the  nation 's  output 
of  this  metal. 

Tungsten  is  found  in  but  few  other  localities  of  importance  in  the 
United  States. 

Large  deposits  of  iron  ore  have  long  been  known  in  many  sections 
of  the  state,  but  for  various  economic  reasons  this  branch  of  the  mineral 
industry  is  still  in  its  infancy  here. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


27 


A  comparison  of  the  1916  metal  output  with  that  of  1915  is  afforded 
bj'  the  following  table: 


Metal 


1915 


Amount 


Antimony    ore    '  510  tons 

Copper    40,968,966  lbs. 

Gold    -- 

Iron  ore  724  tons 

Lead 2,.398  tons 

Manganese  ore  4,013  tons 

Molybdenum  ore  

Platinum    \  667  ounces 

Quicksilver    14,199  flasks 

Silver   \ 

Tungsten    concentrates !  962  tons 


Value 


^5,«36 

7,169,567 

22,442,296 

2,584 

225,426 

49,098 


1916 


Amount 


Zinc 


Totals    -- 
Net  increase 


13,043,411  lbs. 


21,149 

1,157,449 

851,129 

1,0(S,467 

1,617,383 


1,015  tons 
55,809,019  lbs. 

3,000  tons 

6,196  tons 

13,404  tons 

8  tons 

886  ounces 

21,427  flasks 


Value 


2,270  tons 
15,950,565  lbs. 


$64,793 

13,729,017 

21,410,741 

6,000 

855,049 

274,601 

9,945 

42,642 

2,003,425 

1,687,345 

4,.')71,521 

2,137,375 


Increase-I- 

Decrease — 

Value 


$29,127+ 

6,569,450+ 

1,031,555— 

3,416  + 

623,623  + 

225,.503  + 

9,945  + 

21,493  + 

845,976  + 

836,216+ 

3,566,054+ 

519,992+ 


$34,577,214 


$46,792,454 


$12,215,240+ 


ALUMINUM. 
Bihliogmphy:  Bulletins  38,  67. 
No  workable  deposits  of  bauxite  have  been  discovered  in  the  state, 
although  from  time  to  time  small  quantities  of  the  impure  material  have 
been  the  foundation  of  extravagant  reports  regarding  such  discoveries. 

ANTIMONY. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV.    Bulle- 
tin 38. 

Antimony  is  known  to  exist  in  a  number  of  places  in  California, 
having  been  reported  from  Kern,  Inyo,  Nevada,  Riverside,  San  Benito, 
and  Santa  Clara  counties.  The  Kern  County  deposits,  some  of  which 
carry  metallic  antimony,  are  possibh^  the  best  known,  and  efforts  were 
made  to  work  some  of  them  before  California  was  a  part  of  the  United 
States.  The  commonest  occurrence  is  in  the  form  of  the  sulphide, 
stibnite.  No  continuous  production,  however,  has  been  maintained, 
the  output  for  1915  being  the  first  reported  since  1901. 

From  the  low  point  of  5.14^  to  7.11^  per  pound,  according  to  brand 
in  July,  1914,  the  price  of  antimony  rose  gradually,  though  not  steadily 
to  44^  by  the  middle  of  Januar}',  1916.  American  antimony,  for  the 
first  time  in  many  years,  appeared  on  the  market  in  competition  with 
the  Chinese  and  Japanese  ])roduct.  From  $1.00  to  $2.25  per  unit  was 
paid  for  ore,  and  at  first  a  minimum  of  50%  accepted;  but,  later,  some 
lower  grade  ore  was  smelted.  The  price  remained  at  44^  (San  Fran- 
cisco quotations)  until  the  middle  of  April,  then  declined  quite  rapidly 
to  lOff  in  August.     It  remained  around  that  figure  and  up  to  14^, 


28 


MINERiVL    INDUiSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


closing  the  year  at  12^  per  pound  and  $1.00  per  unit.     If  the  price 
drops  below  12^  per  pound  for  the  metal,  few  if  any  of  the  California  | 
mines  can  operate  profitably. 

During  1916  in  California  there  was  mined  and  sold  a  total  of  1,015 
tons  of  antimony  ore,  valued  at  $64,793,  by  four  producers  in  Kern 
County  and  one  each  in  Inyo  and  San  Benito  counties.  The  Wild 
Rose  mine  in  Inyo  County  made  the  largest  individual  output.  As 
will  be  noted  from  the  table  below,  the  tonnage  for  1916  was  nearly 
equal  to  the  total  of  all  previous  years. 

The  production  by  years  since  1887  has  been  as  follows: 


Tear 


Tons 


Value 


Tear 


Tons 


1887 
1888 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 


75   $15,500  I'  1899 
100    20,000  !  1900 


50 

2,250  ' 

1901 

150 

6.000  ; 

1915 

33 

1,485  i 

1916 

17 

2,320 

20 

3,500 

40 

.1.200 

Totals 


75 

70 

50 

510 

1,015 


Value 


$13,500  ^ 

5,700 

8,350 

35.666 

64,793 


2.205  1  $180,264 


BISMUTH. 
Bibliography:  Bulletins  38,  67.    Am.  Jour.  Sci.  1903,  Vol.  16. 

Several  bismuth  minerals  have  been  found  in  California,  notably 
native  bismuth  and  bismite  (the  ochre)  in  the  tourmaline  gem  district 
in  San  Diego  and  Riverside  counties  near  Pala.  Other  occurrences  of 
!)isinuth  minerals,  including  the  pnlphide,  bismuthinite,  have  been 
noted  in  Inyo,  Fresno,  Nevada,  Tuolumne  and  Mono  counties,  but  only 
in  small  quantities.  The  only  commercial  production  recorded  was 
20  tons  valued  at  $2,400,  in  1904,  and  credited  to  Riverside  County. 

Recovery  of  bismuth  from  blister  copper  in  the  electrolytic  refinery 
has  been  noted  ("),  ranging  as  high  as  27.3  pounds  of  metallic  bismuth 
per  100  tons  of  blister  copper  from  the  Iron  Mountain,  Shasta  County, 
ores. 

The  uses  of  bismuth  are  somewhat  restricted,  being  employed  princi- 
pally in  the  preparation  of  medicinal  salts,  and  in  low  melting-point 
or  cliche  alloys.  These  alloys  are  utilized  in  automatic  fire  sprinkler 
systems,  in  electrical  fuses,  and  in  solders. 


"Trans.  Am.  In-st.  Min.  Eng.,  Vol.  47,  pp.  217-218. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


20 


COPPER. 
Bibliography:  State  IMiiieralogi.st  Reports  VII,  XIII,  XIV.     Bulle- 
tins 23  and  50. 

Copper  is  one  of  the  staple  mineral  products  of  the  state,  being  pro- 
duced chiefly  in  Shasta  County,  with  smaller  amounts  but  in  excess 
of  one  million  pounds  of  copper  each,  from  Calaveras,  Placer,  Plumas 
and  Trinity  counties.  In  1916,  some  yield  in  greater  or  less  amount, 
was  reported  from  a  total  of  25  counties.  The  production  for  the  year 
wa.s  55,809,019  pounds,  valued  at  $13,729,017,  which  is  a  37%  increase 
in  quantity  and  nearly  double  the  total  value  of  the  previous  year. 
The  quantity  has  been  exceeded  but  once  (in  1909),  Imt  the  value  is 
the  greatest  in  the  history  of  copper  mining  in  California.  The  Euro- 
pean war  has  caused  a  greatly  increased  demand  for  copper  to  make 
brass  for  shells  of  all  calibers,  as  well  as  other  requirements.  This  has 
raised  the  price  from  the  1914  average  of  13.3^-  to  17.5^-  per  pound  in 
1915,  and  24. 6(/'  in  1916,  the  closing  December  flgure  l)eing  31.55^'. 
Quotations  reached  as  high  as  35f';  per  pound. 

Improvements  have  been  made  in  the  methods  of  handling  smelter 
smoke.  Flotation  concentration  is  being  successfully  employed  by  the 
EngeLs  Copper  Company  and  at  the  Walker  ]\Iine  in  Plumas  County, 
by  the  Calaveras  Copper  Company  in  Calaveras  County,  and  by  the 
Mammoth  Copper  Company  in  Shasta  County. 

Distribution  of  the  output,  by  counties,  for  1916,  was  as  follows: 


County 


Pminds 


Value 


Amador 12,349 

Calaveras 6,099,509 

Fresno   29,173 

Inyo    274,032 

Kern    24,754 

Madera    124,286 

Mariposa   162,318 

Nevada    J...  3,487 

Placer    1,437,441 

Plumas    4,932,928 

Riverside   58,617 

San   Bernardino    1,577,901 

San  Diego  16,806 

San   Luis   Obispo 356 

Shasta   39,437,196 

Tulare    1,422 

Tuolumne    l  1,797 

Tuba   '  4,817 

Del  Norte,  El  Dorado,  Imperial,  Los  Angeles,  Siskiyou, 

Trinity* 1.609,830 

Totals    55,809,019 


$3,038 

1,500,479 

7,177 

67,412 

6,089 

30,574 

39,930 

858 

353,610 

1,213,500 

14,420 

388,164 

4,134 

88 

9,701,550 

350 

442 

1,185 

396,017 


$13,729,017 


I 


•Combined  to  conceal  output  of  Individual  mines  in  each. 


30 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 


Amount  and  value  of  copper  production  in  California  annually  since 
such  records  have  been  compiled  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  is  given 
in  the  following  tabulation: 


Tear 

Pounds 

Value    i       Tear 

1 

Pounds 

VrIus 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1891 

J892 

1893 

1894 

1,600,000 

1.570.021 

151,505 

23.347 

3.397,455 

2.980,944 

239.682 

738.594 

225,650 

1,992.844 

13,638.626 

21,543.229 

23.915,486 

'59,515,512 

34,931,788 

27,860,162 

$192,000 

235.303 

18.180 

3,502 

424,675  , 

342,808 

21,571 

72,486 

21,901 

199,519 

1.540,666 

2,475,168  i 

3.990,534 

4.748,242  ! 

5,501,782 

3,239,975 

1 
1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

Totals 

1 

19,113,861  '  $2,520,997 
29,974.154  3,969.995 
16.997,489  2,650,605 
28,726,448  5,522,712 
32.602,945  6,341,387 
40,868,772  5,350.777 
65.727,736  8,478,142 
53,721.032    6,680  641 

1895 

36  838  0^4    4  604  753 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

34.169,997  5,638,049 
34,471.118  5,343,023 
30.491.535  4.055.375 
40,968,966  7,169,567 
55,809,019  :   13.729,017 

684.805,941  \  $105,083,352 

GOLD. 

Bibliography:  State    Mineralogist    Keports,    I    to    XIV     (inc.). 
BuUetins  36,  45,  57.    U.  S.  G.  S.,  Prof.  Pap.  73. 

Gold  is  one  of  the  mo.st  important  mineral  products  of  California, 
and  its  discovery  was  the  prime  cause  of  the  rapid  early  development 
of  the  state.  There  is  a  marked  tendency  toward  increased  activity  in 
gold  mining,  as  investors  realize  that  many  of  the  mines  and  prospects 
have  not  been  exhausted.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  owners  of 
prospects  and  small  mines,  who  wish  to  dispose  of  their  prpoerty  or 
see  it  developed,  should  realize  that  most  large  investments  of  that 
sort  are  made  only  after  thorough  investigation.  Frequently,  demands 
for  large  cash  payments  have  turned  away  capitalists  who  would  other- 
wise have  been  willing  to  risk  an  equal  amount  in  development  work. 
Gold  dredging  continues  active,  though  the  peak  of  the  output  from 
that  source  seems  to  have  been  passed. 

The  State  Mining  Bureau  has  never  independentl.y  collected  statistics 
of  gold,  platinum  and  silver  production,  as  there  is  no  necessity  for 
duplicating  the  very  thoroughly  organized  work  of  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey  covering  those  metals.  The  data  here  given  relative  to  these 
three  metals  has  been  received  through  the  courtesy  and  cooperation 
of  Mr.  Charles  G.  Yale,  Statistician  in  Charge  of  the  San  Francisco 
branch  office  of  the  Division  of  Mineral  Resources.  Anyone  wishing 
fuller  details  of  the  production  of  these  metals  may  obtain  the  same 
by  applying  to  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  Washington,  D.  C,  or  to 


STATISTICS    OP    ANNUAL    PRODUCTION.  31 

Room  305,  U.  S.  Custom  House,  S;iii  Franoisco,  Cal.,  for  a  copy  of  the 
"separate"  on  the  subject. 

"In  1916  there  were  589  properties  reporting  production  in  California,  of  wlrich  297 
were  deep  mines  and  292  were  placers.  The  producing:  deep  mines  of  1916  may  be 
classified  by  chief  metallic  product  as  follows:  Gold,  204;  copper,  60;  silver,  1;  silver- 
lead,  IS;  lead,  11;  and  zinc,  3.  Of  the  placer  mines  87  were  hydraulic,  9  less  than  in 
1915  ;  60  were  dredge,  2  more  than  in  1915  ;  67  were  drift,  6  more  than  in  1915  ;  and  78 
were  surface  or  sluicing  mines,  6  more  than  in  1915.  There  were  altogether  3  more 
placer  mines  producing  in  1915.  Of  deep  mines  there  were  33  less  gold  mines,  17 
more  copper,  10  less  silver,  15  more  silver-lead,  an(J  3  less  zinc;  there  were  therefore 
24  less  deep  mines  productive  than  in  1915.  The  dredges  are  enumerated  by  number 
of  boats  at  work,  some  companies  owning  only  one,  and  others  several. 

"The  total  value  of  the  gold,  silver,  copper,  lead  and  zinc  produced  in  California  In 
191C  shows  an  increase  of  23.2%.  There  was  an  increase  in  quantity  and  value  in  all 
metals,  except  gold,  whicli  showed  a  decrease  of  4.5%.  In  copper  the  increase  was 
37%  in  quantity  and  93%  in  value;  and  in  zinc  it  was  10. 5%  in  quantity  and  26%  in 
value.  The  lead  output  increased  171%  in  quantity  and  298%  in  value.  The  increase 
in  silver  was  53%  in  quantity  and  98%  in  value.  The  yield  of  gold  from  deep  mines 
decreased  7%  and  that  from  placers  4%. 

********** 

"The  total  production  of  gold  in  California  in  1916  was  1,035,744.59  fine  ounces, 
valued  at  $21,410,741,  a  decrease  of  49,901.48  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $1,031,555,  or  about 
4.8%  for  1916.  The  deep  mines  of  the  State  yielded  620,897.19  fine  ounces  of  gold, 
valued  at  $12,835,084.  Of  the  deep  mines  gold  92.5%  was  derived  from  siliceous  ore; 
7.2%  was  derived  from  copper  ore;  0.2%  from  silver-lead  ore;  and  the  remainder  from 
lead  ores  and  zinc  ores. 

"The  decrease  in  the  gold  output  of  the  state  is  due  almost  entirely  to  the  drop 
of  nearly  a  million  dollars  from  the  deep  mines,  caused  by  labor  strike  in  the  Mother 
Lode  region  where  the  largest  producers  are  situated.  Some  mines  were  closed  down 
from  40  to  60  days,  product  being  thus  curtailed.  The  decrease  from  the  placers  was 
only  about  $33,000.  The  gold  output  from  surface  placers  increased  to  some  extent 
according  to  returns,  but  there  was  a  lighter  output  from  the  hydraulic,  drift,  and 
dredge  mines.  In  the  case  of  the  dredges  the  yield  was  only  $27,338  less  than  in  1915. 
Since  gold  dredging  commenced  in  California  in  1898  the  total  output  of  gold  from 
that  source  to  the  end  of  1916  has  been  $86,873,458.  Since  1898  the  Oroville  (Butte 
County)  dredging  field  has  yielded  $29,442,604  in  gold,  not  including  $1,973,085 
derived  in  the  last  seven  years  from  dredges  in  adjacent  districts  in  the  same  county. 
The  Marysville  (Yuba  County)  field  has  produced  from  1903  to  1916,  inclusive, 
$27,439,000  in  gold.  The  Folsom  (Sacramento  County)  field  has  yielded  since  1902 
from  dredging,  gold  valued  at  $18,926,531.  A  number  of  dredgers  are  in  operation  in 
various  localities  in  other  counties  of  the  state,  but  these  figures  are  not  included 
in  the  more  extensive  fields  named. 

"The  placer  yield  of  gold  in  1916  was  414,847.40  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $8,575,657. 
The  placer  mines  produced  40%  of  the  total  gold  yield  for  1916  and  the  deep  mines 
60%,  as  compared  with  38%  for  the  placers  and  62%  for  the  deep  mines  in  1915. 
The  dredges  produced  36%  of  tire  total  gold  yield  from  all  sources  in  1916.  Of  the 
total  placer  gold,  the  dredges  produced  90.6%,  the  hydraulic  nimes  4.5%,  the  drift  mines 
2.9%.,  and  the  surface  or  sluicing  mines  2%.  The  three  larger  and  more  important 
dredging  fields  of  the  State  are  at  Oroville,  Butte  County;  Folsom,  Sacramento 
County;  and  Marysville,  Yuba  County.  Dredges  are  also  operated  in  eight  other 
counties,  5  in  Calaveras,  1  in  El  Dorado,  1  in  Merced,  2  in  Placer,  3  in  Shasta,  3  in 
Siskiyou,  2  in  Stanislaus,  and  3  in  Trinity.  The  Yuba  County  dredges,  13  in  number, 
made  the  largest  output  of  gold,  the  value  being  $3,140,150,  an  increase  of  $464,060. 
Sacramento  County  with  13  dredges  at  work  made  an  output  of  $1,829,478,  a  decrease 
of  $300,309.  In  Butte  County  (including  Oroville  and  "outside"  districts)  14  dredges 
produced  $1,210,874  in  gold,  or  $280,192  less  than  in  1915.  This  statement  shows  that 
$116,441  less  gold  was  obtained  in  these  three  districts  than  in  1915,  but  the  increase 
in  other  districts  of  the  state  reduced  the  total  decrease  in  dredge  output  to  $27,238 
in  1916,   as  compared   to  1915. 

"Of  the  28  counties  producing  gold  in  1916  in  California,  7  yielded  no  placer  gold 
and  4  yielded  no  gold  from  deep  mines.  Six  counties  produced  more  than  $1,000,000 
each  in  gold  in  1916  as  follows:  Nevada,  $3,669,878;  Amador,  $3,660,550;  Yuba,  $3,167,723; 
Sacramento,  $1,833,855;  and  Butte,  $1,257,231.  The  leading  hydraulic  mining  county 
was  Trinity;  the  greatest  producer  of  gold  from  drift  mines  was  Placer;  the  largest 
producer  of  gold  from  dredges  was  Yuba;  and  the  largest  producer  from  surface  or 
sluicing  mines  was  El  Dorado.  The  largest  increase  ($464,013),  in  total  yield  of  gold 
in  1916  as  compared  with  1915  was  in  Yuba,  which  was  followed  by  Nevada  with 
$203,156,  Mono  with  $129,782,  Mariposa  with  $16,141,  Siskiyou  with  $14,591,  Placer  with 
$14,081,  Stanislaus,  Imperial  and  Humboldt  with  smaller  amounts.  Most  of  the 
counties  showed  a   decreased  yield  of  gold  for  1916,   as  Sacramento,   $297,958;   Butte, 


I 


32 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


$2S8,745;  Kern,  .$23(i,27T:  Amador,  $233,.")7.5:  TuoUiinne.  $1!>0,S66;  Inyo,  $lSfi,183;  Shasta, 
$183,ftfi3;  San  Bernardino,  $137.1.=i4:  El  Dorado,  $39,467;  Calaveras.  $3.5,014;  Plumas, 
$34,0.')5;  Trinity,  Modoc.  Fresno,  Riverside,  Sierra,  San  Diego,  Madera,  Lake,  and 
Del   Norte    witli   smaller   amounts. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  «• 

"From  the  siliceous  ore  and  old  tailings  tlie  recovery  of  gold  by  methods  of  treat- 
ment in  California  in  1916  was  as  follows:  By  amalgamation,  413,033.24  fine  ounces, 
valued  at  $8,.')3^,15.5:  by  cyanidation,  .i6,973.95  tine  ounces,  valued  at  $1,777,756;  by 
chlorination.  15,979.47  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $330,323;  concentrates  sent  to  smelters 
for  reduction,  gold  recovery,  78,033.90  ounces,  valued  at  $1,613,104.  Where  gold- 
mining  companies  have  no  cyanide  or  chlorination  plants,  it  is  the  custom  to  send 
the  concentrates  to  sinelting  plants  for  reduction,  under  contracts  to  pay  ceitain 
specific  prices  for  this  work.  The  figures  given  above  for  cyanidation  recovery  are 
approximate  only  for  tlie  reason  that  the  returns  received  from  individual  mines  do 
not  always  segregate  the  recovery  by  sources.  Some  of  the  mining  companies  pass 
the  pulp  from  tlie  amalgamating  mills  direct  through  to  their  cyanide  plants,  and 
give  tlieii-  total  recovery  without  accounting  for  tlie  quantity  of  gold  saved  by 
separate  .s.vstems  of  treatment."         *         *         * 

The  geld  !)rodiu'tion  of  California  for  1916  was  distributed,  by 
counties,  as  follows : 


County 

1 

Value         , 

1 

County 

Value 

Amador    _.    

:i 

$3,660,550   Nevada    .. 

$3,669,878 

Butte 

1,257,231    Placer 

428,400 

Calaveras 

1,356,120    Plumas 

133,385 

Del  Norte  .. 

405    Riverside 
361,821    Sacrament 
69:    San   Berns 
21,279  1  Shasta  .— 

7,855 

El  Dorado  .    _    

O -    -. 

1,833,855 

Fresno , 

irdino   

279,813 

Hninlioldt 

936,885 

Imperial 

23,338    Sierra  

724,256 

lavo 

131,722    Siskiyou   . 
747,042    Trinity  ._. 

441,307 

Kern      -      _  _ 

435,493 

Madera - ._ 

10,306   'J'uolunme 
401,718   Yuba     .-. 

868,237 

Maripc'^a     -- 

3.167,723 

Merced  and  Stanislaus* 

2"/!  6i(i  ^ 
2,729 
237,084          Total    

Mono      -,  - - - 

$21,410,741 

♦Combined   to  conceal   output  of  a  single   propert.v   in   each. 

Total    Gold    Production    of   California. 

The  following  table  Avas  compiled  by  Chas.  G.  Yale,  of  the  Division 
of  Mineral  Resources,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  but  for  a  number  of 
years  statistician  of  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau  and  the  U.  S. 
Mint  at  San  Francisco.  The  authorities  chosen  for  certain  periods 
were:  J.  D.  Whitney,  state  geologist  of  California;  John  Arthur 
Phillips,  author  of  "Mining  and  Metallurgy  of  Gold  and  Silver" 
(1867);  U.  S.  INIining  Commissioner  R.  W.  Raymond;  U.  S.  INIining 
Commissioner  J.  Ross  Browne ;  Wm.  P.  Blake,  Commissioner  from  Cali- 
fornia to  the  Paris  Exposition,  where  he  made  a  report  on  "Precious 
Metals"    (1867)  ;  John  J.  Valentine,  author  for  many  years  of  the 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


33 


annual  report  on  precious  metals  published  by  WelLs  Fargo  &  Com- 
pany's Express ;  and  Louis  A.  Garnett,  in  the  early  days  manager  of  the 
San  Francisco  refinery,  where  records  of  gold  receipts  and  ship- 
ments were  kept.  Mr.  Yale  obtained  other  data  from  the  reports  of 
the  director  of  the  U.  S.  Mint  and  the  director  of  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey.  The  authorities  referred  to,  who  were  alive  at  the  time  of 
the  original  compilation  of  this  table  in  1894,  were  all  consulted  in 
person  or  by  letter  by  Mr.  Yale  with  reference  to  the  correctness  of 
their  published  data,  and  the  final  table  quoted  was  then  made  up. 
The  figures  since  1904  ai-e  those  prepared  by  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey : 


Tear 

A'^alue 

Year 

Value 

1848 

$245,301 
10,151,360 
41,273,106 
75.938,232 
81,294,700 
67,613,487 
69,433,931 
55,485,395 
57,509,411 
43,628,172 
46,591,140 
45,846,599 
44,095,163 
41,884,995 
38,854,668 
23,501,736 
24,071,423 
17,930,858 
17,123,867 
18,265,4.52 

1884  

1885  

1886  

1887  

1888  

L889  

1890  

1891  

1892     

$13,600,000 

1849  

12,661,044 

1850 

14,716,506 

1851  

13,588,614 

1852  

1853  

1854  

1855  

1856  

1857  

1858  

1859  

1860  

1861  

1862  

1863  

1864  

1865 

12,750,000 
11,212,913 
12,309,793 
12,728,869 
12,571,900 

1893  

1894  

1895  

1896  

1897  

!  1898  

1899         

12,422,811 
13,923,281 
.  15,334,317 
17,181,562 
15,871,401 
15,906,478 
15,336,031 

1900  

1901  

1  1902  

.  1903 

15,863,355 
16,989,044 

1866  

16,910,320 

1867  

16,471,264 

1868 

17,555,867  1904       ^  _   

19,109,600 

1869 

18,229,044 
17,458,1.33 
17,477,885 
15,482,194 

1905    _  _   

19,197,043 

1870    .  .    

1906  

1907         

18,732,452 

:  1871  

1872  

16,727,928 

1908  

18,761,.559 

1873  

1.5,019,210  1909  

17,264,836  1  1910 

20,237,870 

:  1874  

19,715,440 

1875  

16,876,009 
15,610,723 
16,501,268 
18,839,141 
19,626,654 
20,030,761 
19,223.155 
17,146,416 
24,316,873 

1911  

;  1912  

1913  

1914  

1915  

191G  

19,738,908 

1876 ._. 

19,713,478 

1877  

20,406,958 

1878 

20,653,496 

1879  

22,442,296 

1880  

21,410,741 

1881 

j    Total      

1882  

1883  

$1,652,594,437 

il 

3—31821 


34 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


IRIDIUM  (see  under  Platinum). 


IRON  ORE. 
Bibliography :  State    Mineralogist   Reports,    II,    IV,    V,   X,   XII, 
XIII,  XIV.       Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Trans.  LIII.     Min.  &  Sci. 
Press,  Vol.  115,  pp.  112,  117-122.     BuUetin.s  38,  67. 

Iron  ore  to  the  extent  of  3,000  tons,  valued  at  $6,000,  was  produced 
in  California  during  the  year  1916.  It  was  utilized  in  the  production 
of  pig  iron,  ferro-manganese,  ferro-silicon,  and  ferro-chrome  by  elec- 
tric furnace  reduction. 

There  are  considerable  deposits  of  iron  ore  known  in  California, 
notably  in  Shasta,  Madera,  Placer,  Riverside  and  San  Bernardino 
counties,  l)ut  production  has  so  far  been  limited,  on  account  of  our 
having  no  economic  supply  of  coking  coal.  Further  developments 
along  the  line  of  electrical  smelting,  or  discoveries  making  valuable 
our  petroleum  fuel,  would  lead  to  considerable  increase  of  iron  mining 
in  California.  For  the  present,  at  least,  the  most  feasible  possibilities 
lie  in  utilizing  our  iron  resources  in  the  preparation  of  the  various 
alloys  such  as  ferro-chrome,  ferro-manganese,  ferro-molybdenum,  ferro- 
silicon  and  ferro-tungsten,  by  means  of  the  electric  furnace.  California 
possesses  commercial  deposits  and  is  now  producing  ores  of  all  of  the 
metals  just  enumerated.  In  addition  to  the  electric  smelting  units  now 
in  operation,  two  blast  furnace  units  are  at  the  present  writing  under 
construction — one  in  Shasta  County,  the  other  in  San  Bernardino — 
and  another  electric  smelter  is  also  proposed. 

Total  iron  ore  production  in  the  state,  with  annual  amounts  and 
values,  is  as  follows: 


Year 

Tons 

Value       1 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1881* 

9,273 

2,073 

11,191 

4,532 

$79,452 
17,766 

106,540 
40,983 

1908      -  .      ...    

1882 

1909         -      -      

108 

579 

558 

2,508 

2,343 

1,436 

724 

3,000 

$174 

1883 

1910 

900 

1884 __ 

1911      

558 

1885    . 

1912    

2.508 

1886 

3,676 

19,250 

1913    

4,485 

1887     

1914    

5,128 

1893    

250 
200 

2,000; 
1,500 

1915    

2,584 

1894 

1916    

6,000 

1895 

1907 

400 

400 

Totals 

42,851 

$290,228 

♦Productions  for  the  years  1881-1886  (inc.)  were  reported  as  "tons  of  pig  iron," 
(U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.  1885),  and  for  the  table  herewith  are  calculated  to  "tons  of 
ore"  on  the  basis  of  47.6%  Fe  as  shown  by  an  average  of  analyses  of  the  ores  fState 
Mineralogist's  Report  IV,  p.  £42).  This  early  production  of  pig  iron  was  from  the 
blast  furnaces  then  in  opeiation  at  Hotaling  in  Placer  County.  Charcoal  was  used 
in  lieu  of  coke.  Though  producing  a  superior  grade  of  metal,  they  were  obliged 
finally  to  close  down,  as  they  could  not  compete  with  the  cheaper  English  and 
eastern  United  States  iron  brought  in  by  sea  to  San  Francisco. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


35 


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36 


MINERATj    industry    of    CALIFORNIA. 


LEAD. 
Bibliography:  State  IMinoralogist  Reports  IV,  VIII,  X. 

Lead  was  produced  during  1916,  to  the  extent  of  12,392,031  pounds, 
which  at  6.9^  per  pound  was  valued  at  $855,049,  being  an  increase  of 
nearly  300%  in  amount  and  nearly  400%  in  value  as  compared  to  the 
previous  year.  The  principal  yield  comes  from  Inyo  County,  followed 
by  San  Bernardino,  Shasta,  and  Kern  in  the  order  named.  The  ores 
are  mined,  and  shipped  to  smelters.  On  account  of  the  European  war, 
the  price  increased  from  the  3.9^;  per  pound  average- of  1914,  to  4.7^ 
in  1915  and  6.9^  in  1916.  The  fluctuations  in  the  price  may  be  studied 
from  the  chart  reproduced  herewith,  from  a  recent  press  bulletin  of 
the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 

County  returns  for  1916,  showing  amounts  and  values,  were: 


County 

Pounds 

1 
Value 

County 

Pounds 

Value 

Calaveras  

7,238 

flUQQ 

San  Bernardino  .— 
Shasta       _. 

673,801 

478,560 

873 

17,826 

$46,492 
33,021 

Fresno    

668  i              46 

11,185,321         771,787 

24,274            1  -fi7.t; 

Inyo   

Tuolnmne 

60 

Korn  

Imperial     and 
Placer*          . 

Mariposa    — 

1,857 

1,036 

350 

227 

128 
71 
24 

le 

1,230 

Nevada 

Totals 

Kiverside    

12,392,031 

$855,049 

Sacramento    

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  mine  in  each. 


Statistics  on  lead  production  in  California  were  first  compiled  b}'  this 
Bureau  in  1887.  Amount  and  value  of  the  output,  annually,  with  total 
figures,  to  date,  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


Year 

Tons 

( 
Value        1 

1 

Year 

Tons 

55 

Value 

1887 

580 

$52,200 

^  1903  

$3,960 

1888 

450 

38,250 

1904 

62 

5,270 

1889 

470 

35,720 

1905 

266 

25,083 

1890 

400 

36,000 

1906 

169 

19,307 

1891 

570 

49,020 

1907 

164 

16,690 

1892 

680 

54.400 

1908 

562 

46.663 

1893 

333 

24,975 

1909 

1,343 

144,897 

1894 

475 

28,500 

1910 

1,508 

134,082 

1895 

796 

49.364 

1911 

701 

63,173 

1896 

646 
298 

38,805 
20,264 

1912       -  .      

685 
1,820 

61,653 

1897 

1913  -_- 

160,202 

1898 

328 

23,907 

1914 

2,349 

183.198 

1899 

360 

30,642 

1915 

2,398 

225,426 

1900 

520 

41,600 

1916 _. 

6,196 

855,049 

1901 

?fin 

28,820 
12,230 

1902 

175 

Totals 

25,719 

$2,509,350 

STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  37 

MANGANESE. 
Bibliographij:    State    Mineralogist    Keports    XII,     XIII,     XIV. 
Bulletins  38,  67 :  U.  8.  G.  S.,  Bull.  427. 

In  the  statistical  reports  of  1915  and  1914,  manganese  ore  was 
included  in  the  "industrial  materials"  list.  We  have  since  made  a 
transfer,  and  now  place  it  under  "metals."  because  by  far  the  greater 
tonnage  of  manganese  ore  is  utilized  in  the  preparation  of  ferro- 
manganese  and  employed  in  the  steel  industry  for  its  metal  content. 
Though  its  other  uses  may  be  classed  as  "chemical,"  the  tonnage  thus 
consumed  is  relatively  smaller.  Its  chemical  uses  are  as  a  decolorizer 
or  oxidizer  in  glass  manufacture,  and  as  a  constituent  in  electric  dry 
batteries.  The  chemical  uses  require  a  much  higher  grade  of  ore  than 
the  steel  industry.  For  steel  purposes,  an  iron  content  is  acceptable, 
but  manganese  should  exceed  40%.  Silica  should  be  under  8%,  though 
higher  has  been  taken  during  the  present  increased  demand.  Phos- 
phorus should  be  under  0.20%.  For  electric  dry  cells,  the  iron  content 
should  be  under  1.5%  Fe^O.^,  and  SiOo.  under  6%.  For  glass  making, 
the  manganese  should  be  practically  free  of  iron. 

The  following  will  indicate  the  specifications  and  prices  quoted  in 
]May  of  the  curent  year  1917,  showing  that  the  demand  is  still  strong: 

'"Manganese  pi-ices  and  specifications,  as  per  tlie  niintations  of  the  Carnegie  Steel 
Co.  sclieclule  of  prices  per  ton  of  2,240  lb.  for  domestic  manganese  ore  delivered, 
freight  prepaid,  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  or  Chicago,  111.     For  ore  containing 

Per  unit 

Above   W/c    metallic   manganese $1.00 

46   to   4'^%    metallic   manganese 0.98 

4.'}   to   46%    metallic    manganese 0.95 

40   to   4.39f    metallic   manganese 0.90 

"Prices  are  based  on  ore  containing  not  more  than  S%  silica  nor  more  than  0.2% 
phospliorus.  and  are  subject  to  deductions  as  follows:  (1)  for  each  1%  in  excess  of 
8%  silica,  a  deduction  of  15<-  per  ton,  fractions  in  proportion;  (2)  for  each  0.02%  in 
excess  of  0.2%  phosphorus,  a  deduction  of  2(  per  unit  of  manganese  per  ton,  fractions 
in  proportion:  (3)  ore  containing  less  than  40%  inanganese,  or  more  than  12%  silica, 
or  0.225%  phosphorus,  subject  to  ,icceptance  or  refusal  at  buyer's  option  ;  settlements 
based  on  analysis  of  sample  dried  at  212°  F.,  the  percentage  of  moisture  in  the  sample 
as  taken  to  be  deducted  from  the  weight.  Prices  are  subject  to  change  without 
notice  unless  specially  agreed  upon. 

"Manganese:  The  demand  for  manganese  in  the  East  continues  strong  and  the 
schedule  prices  remain  at  .?1  per  unit  or  under;  40%  has  always  found  ready  buyers 
at  comp-uatively  good  prices  and  the  market  has  a  very  firm  tendency.  Chemical  ore 
is  quoted  at  4V(;C  to  BC  per  lb.  according  to  grade." 

Though  the  imports  of  manganese  ore  from  the  Caucasus  district  in 
RiLssia  have  been  reduced  by  the  war  to  practically  nathing  (about  1% 
of  1914  figures),  the  United  States  is  now  receiving  important  ship- 
ments from  Brazil  and  India ;  so  that  the  total  imports  for  1916  were 
practically  double  those  of  either  1914  or  1915.     The  increased  demand 

'Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  May  26,  1917,  p.  751. 


38  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

for  steel  products  has  increased  the  necessity  for  ferro-manganese, 
which  is  used  largely  in  the  open-hearth  process  of  steel  making.  This 
resulted  in  curtailment  of  ferro-manganese  exports  from  England,  and 
the  resulting  shortage  in  the  United  States  has  been  met  by  the  greater 
imports  of  manganese  ore  from  Brazil  especially,  and  an  increased 
domestic  production  both  of  ore  and  ferro-manganese.  These  condi- 
tions have  caused  the  prices  for  the  ores  to  range  from  $12-$30  per  ton, 
f.  0.  b.  rail,  California,  for  the  lower  grades,  to  $50-$75  for  chemical 
grades. 

Much  of  the  state 's  1916  product  was  utilized  in  California  in  making 
ferro-manganese  by  electric  furnace ;  besides  shipments  which  were 
sent  east.  Some  "chemical"  ore  was  also  shipped  in  1916.  For  many 
years  the  principal  producing  section  has  been  the  Livermore-Tesla 
district,  in  Alameda  and  San  Joaquin  counties,  but  exceeded  in  1915 
by  Mendocino  and  regaining  the  lead  in  1916.  Manganese  is  reported 
to  exist  in  many  localities  in  the  state ;  but  past  production,  particu- 
larly since  the  discontinuance  of  the  chlorination  process  in  the  metal- 
lurgy of  gold,  has  been  relatively  unimportant  until  the  present  activity. 

The  reports  to  the  U.  S.  Geolo2:ical  Survey  indicate  that  in  1916, 
California  led  the  other  states  in  manganese  production,  being  "the 
first  year  in  which  a  Western  State  remote  from  the  steel-producing 
centers  has  contributed  the  largest  amount  of  manganese  ore.  The 
activity  among  manganese  mines  in  California  is  due  largely  to  the 
market  for  ores  provided  by  the  Noble  Electric  Steel  Co.  at  Heroult." 

The  production  of  manganese  ore  in  California  for  1916  amounted 
to  13,404  tons  of  all  grades,  having  a  total  value  of  $274,601  f.  o.  b. 
rail  shipping  point.  It  will  be  noted  that  this  is  nearly  equal  in 
quantity  to  the  entire  previous  tonnage,  1887-1915,  and  about  double 
the  value  for  the  same  period. 

It  was  distributed  by  counties  as  follows: 


County 

1 

1 

Tons 

Value 

Alameda     _-.      _._    ___...    _-. 

562 
1,735 
6,493 

160 

4,454 

$9,005 

Mendocino    ._..___    _..___ 

43,005 

San  Joaquin __    __ 



115,460 

Stanislaus    ._    ._  _    ._ 

2,400 

Amador,  Butte,  Lake,  Nevada,  Rivers 
Santa  Clara,  Shasta,  Sonoma,  Trim 

side, 
ty*. 

San 

Bernard 

ino, 

1 

104,731 

Totals 

13,404 

$274,601 

*Combined   to   conceal   output   of  a   single   mine   in   each. 


The  ore  credited  to  Shasta  County  in  the  above  tabulation  was  a 
low-grade,  siliceous  material   analyzing  from  23%   to   29%   Mn  and 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


39 


from  19%  to  36%  SiO^.  It  was  obtained  near  Heroult  and  utilized 
by  the  Noble  Electric  Steel  Company  in  the  preparation  of  silico- 
manganese,  shipments  of  which  were  made  to  Liverpool,  England. 
They  have,  however,  ceased  the  smelting  of  this  particular  product  in 
the  electric  furnace,  as  it  is  stated  not  to  have  been  profitable. 

The  production  of  manganese  ore  in  California  annually  since  1887 
follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

1888  

1,000 
1,500 
53 
386 
705 
300 
270 
523 
880 
518 
504 
440 
295 
131 
425 
870 

$9,000 
13,500 
901 
3,176 
3,830  ' 
3,000 
4,050 
5,512  . 
8,200  , 
3,415 
4,080 
2,102 
3,165  1 
1,310 
4.405 
7,140 

1 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1 

60 

$25 
900 

1889 

1890 

1906  

1 
1 

321 
3 

265 

2 

22 

30 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894   .  .   .  .   .   . 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

25 

5,785 

75 

4,235 

1895 

40 

1896 

1912 

400 

1897   .  . 

1913  

1898  ._-    

1914  

150 
4,013 

13,404 

1,500 

1899   .  - 

1915 

49,098 

1900 

1916      .  

274,601 

1901 

1902 

Totals   -   

27,043 

$413,500 

MOLYBDENUM. 
BihliograpJnj:  Report  XIV;  Bulletin  67.     U.  S.  Bur  of  M.,  Bul- 
letin 111.     Proc.  Colo.  Sci.  Soc,  Vol.  XI. 

Molybdenum,  as  the  metal,  is  used  as  an  alloy  constituent  in  the  steel 
industry,  and  in  certain  forms  of  electrical  apparatus.  Included  in  the 
latter,  is  its  successful  substitution  for  platinum  and  platinum-iridium 
in  electric  contact  making  and  breaking  devices.  In  alloys  it  is  used 
similarly  to  and  in  conjunction  with  chromium,  cobalt,  iron,  manga- 
nese, nickel,  tungsten,  and  vanadium.  The  oxides  and  the  ammonium 
salt  have  important  chemical  uses. 

The  two  principal  molybdenum  minerals  are :  the  sulphide,  molyb- 
denite; and  wulfenite,  lead  molybdate,  the  former  furnishing  prac- 
tically the  entire  commercial  output.  Molybdenite  is  found  in  or  asso- 
ciated with  acidic  igneous  rocks,  such  as  the  granites  and  pegmatites. 
Up  to  1916,  at  least,  the  chief  commercial  sources  have  been  New  South 
Wales,  Queensland  and  Norw^ay. 

Deposits  of  disseminated  molybdenite  are  known  in  several  localities 
in  California,  and  in  at  least  two  places  it  occurs  in  small  masses  asso- 
ciated with  copper  sulphides.     For  1916,  we  are  here  able  to  record 


40  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

the  first  commercial  sliipments  of  molybdenum  ore  in  California, 
amounting  to  8  tons  valued  at  $9,945,  from  Inyo  and  Plumas  counties. 
An  increased  yield  is  in  prospect  for  1917,  from  several  counties, 
including  Inyo,  Mono,  Plumas,  Shasta,  and  possibly  Siskiyou. 

NICKEL. 

Bibliography:  Report  XIV.  V.  S.  G.  S.,  Bulletin  640-D. 
Nickel  occurs  in  the  Friday  Copper  Mine  in  the  Julian  District,  San 
Diego  County.  The  ore  is  a  nickel-bearing  pyrrhotite,  with  some  asso- 
ciated chalcopyrite.  Some  ore  was  mined  during  1915  and  1916  in 
the  course  of  development  work,  but  was  not  treated  nor  disposed  of,  as 
they  are  as  yet  unable  to  get  any  smelter  to  handle  it  for  them.  Nickel 
ore  has  also  been  reported  from  Siskiyou  County,  west  of  Gazelle. 

OSMIUM  (see  under  Platinum). 
PALLADIUM  (see  under  Platinum). 
PLATINUM. 
Bihliographjj:    State   Mineralogist   Reports   IV,   VIII,    IX,    XII, 
XIII,  XIV.     Bulletins  38,  45,  67. 

In  California  platinum  is  obtained  as  a  by-product  from  placer  opera- 
tions for  gold.  The  major  portion  of  it  comes  from  the  dredges 
operating  in  Butte,  Calaveras,  Sacramento  and  Yuba  counties,  while 
the  hydraulic  and  surface  sluicing  mines  of  Del  Norte,  Humboldt, 
Siskiyou  and  Trinity  and  the  dredges  of  Merced  and  Stanislaus  yield 
a  smaller  amount.  Thanks  are  due  to  the  Division  of  Mineral 
Resources,  X"^.  S.  Geological  Survey  for  cooperation  and  assistance  in 
collecting  the  figures  presented  herewith. 

The  production  for  1916  amounted  to  886  ounces  of  crude  platinum — 
group  metals,  valued  at  a  total  of  $42,642.  Crude  platinum  varies 
considerably  in  its  purity.  That  marketed  during  the  year  1914,^  is 
stated  to  have  averaged  51%  platinum,  3%  iridium,  and  30%  iridos- 
mine  or  osmiridium.  Some  platinum  is  also  recovered  in  the  electro- 
lytic refining  of  blister  copper.  It  has  been  found^  that  blister  copper 
from  several  smelters  in  the  United  States  carries  from  0.342  oz.  to 
1.825  oz.  platinum  and  from  0.607  oz.  to  4.402  oz.  palladium  per  100 
tons  of  blister  copper  treated ;  that  from  Iron  Mountain,  Shasta  County, 
California,  jnelding  1.320  oz.  platinum  and  0.607  oz.  palladium.  Iron 
in  greater  or  less  amount  is  always  alloyed  naturally  with  native  plati- 
num, and  usually  some  iridium  and  osmium. 


»U.   S.   G.   S.,   Min.   Res..   1914,   Pt.   I,   p.   336. 

'Trans.  Am.  Inst.   Min.  Eng.,  vol.   47,  pp.  217-218,  1913. 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 

For  1916,  the  distribution,  by  counties,  was  as  follows: 


41 


Ciimily 

Ounces 

Value 

Butte    _         . 

76 

54 

2 

7 

195 

113 

314 

125 

$3,472 

Calaveras       ,  .  _      _         _         .      _  _         _.._-.-_ 

2,453 

Del  Norte _._    

73 

Humboldt      _  .      _  .                 _                               .  _ _.  .  . 

296 

Saeraineii  t  ()    __,_-          _         __                   _____     

8,892 

Trinity         _____             _      _          _         __      _    

5,161 

Yuba     _      _  _      _ 

14,301 

Merced,  Nevada,  Shasta-". 

Siskiyou,  Stanislaus* 

7,994 

Totals      

886 

$42,642 

Russia  has  in  tlie  past  been  producing  from  90%  to  95%  of  the 
world's  platinum;  but,  according  to  U.  S.  Consular  Reports,  the  yield 
for  191G  was  reduced  to  one-third  of  the  normal,  on  account  of  the 
"scarcity  of  labor  in  the  case  of  hand  washings  by  tributers,  and  in 
th(^  case  of  mechanical  dredging  plants  by  tlie  difficulty  in  obtaining 
spare  parts  for  dredges" — l)oth,  a  reflection  of  war  conditions.  The 
])rice  of  the  metal  has  co'nseciuently  ri.sen  to  over  $100  per  troy  ounce 
for  refined  platinum.  During  1916.  it  varied  from  $90  in  January, 
to  $5.5  in  August,  $105  December  1st,  and  closing  the  year  at  $82. 
The  miners  of  California  received  from  $43  to  $76  per  ounce  for  their 
crude  platinum,  and  an  average  of  $45.50,  as  against  $29  to  $38  per 
ounce  during  1915. 

Next  in  importance  to  Russia  as  a  producer  of  platinum  is  Colombia. 
^  California  is  the  leading  producer  in  the  TTnited  States.  There  have 
been  occasional  rej^orts  of  platinum  in  California  being  found  in  vein 
materials,  but  as  yet  no  authentic  case  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the 
laboratory  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau.  In  this  connection,  however, 
th(>  recent  report^^  of  an  analysis  of  chromite  from  Del  Norte  County 
showing  0.04  oz.  platinum  per  ton  is  of  more  than  passing  interest, 
and  apparently  reliable.  Platinum  and  chromite  are  alike  in  their 
association  with  serpentine  derived  from  basic  igneous  rocks  such  as 
peridotite,  pyroxenite  and  dunite.  The  two  have  been  found  inter- 
grown  in  dunite  on  the  Tulameen  River  in  British  Columbia. 

Besides,  its  well-known  uses  in  jewelry,  dentistry  and  for  chemical 
ware,  an  important  industrial  development  of  recent  years,  employs 
platinum   in   the    "contact   process"   of   manufacturing   concentrated 


'"Yield   of   Shasta   County   is    refined    metals   of   the    platinum   group   obtained   from 
blister  copper  in  the  electrohtic  relinerv. 
"Min.  &  Sci.  Press.  June  30,  1917,  p.  929. 
♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a   single  operator  in   each. 


42 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 


sulphuric  acid.  It  is  also  necessary  for  certain  delicate  parts  of  the 
ignition  systems  in  automobiles,  motor  boats,  and  aeroplanes. 

Because  of  the  effect  of  the  limited  supply  and  the  high  prices  of 
platinum  on  the  present  industrial  situation,  the  jewelers'  and  dentists' 
associations  have  voluntarily  agreed  to  curtail  consumption  of  this 
metal  so  far  as  possible.  Experiments  are  being  made  to  find  alloys 
which  can  replace  platinum  for  dishes  and  crucibles  in  analytical  work, 
but  so  far  with  only  slight  success. 

The  annual  production  and  value  since  1887,  have  been  as  follows: 


Year 


Ounces 


Value 


Year 


Ounces 


Value 


1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898  , 

1899 

1900  . 

1901  , 

1902  . 


1 

100 

1 

$400 

500 
500 

2.000 
2,000 

600 

2,500  ' 

100 

500 

80 

440  1 

75 

517 

100 

600 

150 

900 

162 

944  1 

150 

900 

300 

1.800 

300 

1,800  , 

400 

2,500  I 

250 

3.200  i 

39 

468  j 

1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1S08 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


70 
123 
200 

91 
300 
706 
416 
337 
511 
603  I 
368 
463  I 
667  i 
886  I 


Totals  9,547   $198,741 


$1,052 

1,849 

3,320 

1,647 

6,255 

13,414 

10,400 

8,386 

14,873 

19,731 

17,738 

14,816 

21.149 

42,642 


QUICKSILVER. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  X,  XII,  XIII,  XIV; 
Bulletin  27.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  IMonograph  XIII. 
Quicksilver  was  produced  in  14  counties  in  1916,  to  the  amount  of 
21,427  flasks,  valued  at  $2,003,425,  which  is  a  50%  increase  in  number 
of  flasks  and  nearly  90%  in  value  over  the  year  1915.     The  European 
war  has  caused  a  considerable  rise  in  the  price  of  quicksilver,  due  to  the 
prohibition  of  exports  from  Austria  and  Italy,  and  the  retention  of  the 
Spanish  output  in  England,  to  say  nothing  of  its  increased  use  in  muni- 
tions manufacture.     Immediate  steps  were  taken  by  many  to  reopen 
old  quicksilver  properties  which  had  been  idle  for  many  years.     A  total 
of  approximately  1219  men  were  employed  in  the  quicksilver  mines  of 
California  in  1916,  an  increase  of  about  500  over  the  preceding  year. 

Prices. 

The  following  table  of  monthly  San  Francisco  quotations  per  flask 
of  75  pounds,  will  indicate  the  decided  change  in  the  status  of  quick- 
silver during  the  year  1916,  as  compared  with  the  pre-war  price  of 
about  $37  per  flask.     As  San  Francisco  is  the  primary  domestic  market 


STATISTICS    OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


43 


for  quicksilver,  the  average  yearly  quotations  on  this  market  have 
previously  been  used  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  (and  the  U.  S. 
Geological  Survey,  also)  in  calculating  the  value  of  the  state's  output 
of  this  metal.  The  191-1  figure  was  $49.05  per  flask.  However, 
because  in  1915  and  1916  there  was  considerable  speculation  in  quick- 
silver by  parties  other  than  the  actual  producers,  and  'the  price 
changes  were  often  rapid,  so  that  quotations  did  not  always  mean  sales, 
we  have  in  these  two  years  taken  for  the  average  value  the  average 
actual  sales  as  reported  to  us  by  the  producers.  This  gives  us  an 
average  value  of  $81.52  per  flask  for  the  year  1915,  instead  of  the 
$85.80  average  of  quotations,  and  for  1916,  $93.50  instead  of  $125.89. 


San    Francisco   Quotations  of  Quicksilver,   1916. 


Month 

Average 
price 

1                                Montb 

Average 
price 

January ._ 

$222  00 

295  00 

219  00 

141  60 

90  00 

74  70 

July     

$81  20 

Februarv   _  _    -  

August     .  .  _        

74  50 

March  .._._._-        

1  September       .... 

75  00 

April 

October  .. 

78  20 

Mav   --  - -  - -- 

November        

79  50 

June  -    _  - - 

December     

80  00 

1 
1 

Recent  consular  reports^-  indicate  that  the  output  of  the  famous 
mines  of  Almaden,  Spain,  has  decreased  somewhat,  and  the  expense 
of  operation  increased.  These  mines  are  owned  by  the  government  and 
operated  by  contractors  using  convict  labor.  Bids  have  been  called  for 
by  the  Minister  of  the  Treasury  for  new  leases  for  working  the  deposits, 
and  additional  capital  expenditure  and  exploration  work  will  be 
required.  The  cost  of  production  of  quicksilver  is  stated  to  have 
increased  from  $8.29  a  flask  in  1900  to  $15.22  in  1915. 

For  two  or  three  years  previous  to  the  outbreak  of  the  European 
war,  our  normal  peace-times  consumption  of  quicksilver  in  the  United 
States  was  approximately  25,000  flasks  annually ;  and  our  domestic 
production  had  fallen  below  20,000  flasks  per  year.  Of  this  25,000- 
flask  peace-time  consumption,  nearly  50%  went  into  the  manufacture 
of  fulminate  for  explosive  caps  for  mining,  quarrying,  and  sporting 
arms  ammunition  as  well  as  military  ammunition.  Our  domestic 
production  being  inadequate,  partly  because  of  the  low  price  and  the 
lower  average  tenor  of  the  ores  mined,  necessitated  the  importation  of 
some  5,000  flasks  annually.  The  enormous  increase  in  munitions 
manufacture  due  to  the  war  has,  of  course,  raised  our  requirements 
correspondingly. 


"U.   S.  Commerce  Reports,  No.  298,  Dec.  20,  1916,  p.  1079;  Annual  Series,  No.  15B. 
June  22,  1917,  p.  33. 


44 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  import  duty  of  10%  ad  valorum  is  not  sufficient  to  protect  our 
American  miners  against  the  competition  of  the  convict-operated  mines 
of  Spain  where  quiciksilver  can  be  produced  for  as  low  as  $8-$15  per 
flask,  as  noted  above.  The  duty  should  be  at  least  25%  ad  valonim 
to  give  us  proper  protection.  The  present  improvement  in  the  price 
has  increased  the  number  of  operating  properties  in  California.  Lower 
grade  ores  are  being  worked ;  and  new  methods  of  ore  dressing  and 
reduction  are  being  tried. 

From  a  consideration  of  the  above  facts  and  other  circumstances  of 
the  situation,  it  would  appear  that  the  present  economic  level  for  the 
price  of  quicksilver  should  be  around  $100  per  flask.  This  condition 
seems  likely  to  continue  at  least  as  long  as  the  war  lasts. 


A   shipment  of  300   flasks  of   quicksilver  from   the   New 
Idria  Mine,  San  Benito  County. 

Uses. 

The  important  uses  of  quicksilver  are  the  recovery  of  gold  and  silver 
by  amalgamation,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  fulminate  for  explosive 
caps,  of  drugs,  of  electric  appliances,  and  of  scientific  apparatus.  By 
far  the  greatest  consumption  is  in  the  first  two  mentioned. 

Quicksilver  is  an  absolutely  essential  element  from  a  military  stand- 
point, as  there  has  not  yet  been  produced  a  commercial  substitute  for 
it  in  the  manufacture  of  fulminating  caps  for  explosives.     However,  in 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAIi   PRODUCTION. 


45 


order  to  reduce  consumption  of  the  fulminate,  some  potassium  chlorate, 
picric  acid,  trinitro-toluol,  or  tetranitro-methalamine  is  at  present  being 
mixed  with  it. 


Concentration  of  Quicksilver  Ores. 

For  the  above  reason,  and  the  fact  that  California  has  been,  and 
still  is,  producing  from  70%  to  80%  of  the  quicksilver  yield  of  the 
United  States,  the  investigation  of  the  possibilities  of  concentration  for 
quicksilver  ores,  which  has  been  under  way  for  the  past  two  years  by 
the  author  is  particularly  opportune. 


The   New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mine,   San  Benito  County,   California. 

producer  in  the  United  States. 


The  largest  quicksilver 


In  the  Bureau's  investigation  a  wide  variety  of  ores  has  been  tested 
by  water  concentration,  flotation  with  oils,  and  a  wet  method  by  solu- 
tion with  an  alkaline  sulphide.  Each  of  these  methods  has  shown  some 
ores  particularly  amenable  to  it. 

High  recoveries  were  obtained  b}^  water  concentration  on  tables,  with 
certain  friable  ores  in  which  the  cinnabar  is  distinctly  crystalline. 
Good  results  were  obtained  by  tables  on  an  ore  carrying  native  quick- 
silver. In  those  pulps  carrying  a  cinnabar  slime,  either  from  "paint" 
ores  or  by  reason  of  having  to  crush  fine  to  release  the  sulphide,  the 
extraction  by  tables  is  low.  The  slimed  cinnabar  can,  in  many  cases,  be 
economically    won    by    flotation,    provided    there    are    no    interfering 


k 


46  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

elements  in  the  gangue.  Ochre  appears  to  be  particularly  difficult  to 
overcome,  largely  on  account  of  its  colloidal  nature.  One  very  inter- 
esting development  was  the  verification  of  information  that  had  come 
to  the  author  of  a  selective  oil  combination  for  ores  carrying  objection- 
able amounts  of  pyrite.  A  mixture  of  crude  wood  turpentine  and  a 
crude  asphaltie-base  petroleum  gave  a  higher  grade  concentrate  with 
visibly  less  pyrite  in  it  than  any  single  oil  used — in  the  case  of  one 
such  ore  tested. 

In  the  matter  of  solution  by  an  alkaline  sulphide  (NaoS-f-NaOH) 
some  rather  astonishing  results  were  obtained.  On  four  widely  variant 
ores,  assaying  from  0.14%  to  1.7%  mercury,  extractions  of  86%,  96%, 
97%,  97%,  respectively,  were  obtained  with  but  approximately  a  half- 
hour's  contact  of  the  solution  on  the  pulp.  On  one  of  these  ores, 
assaying  0.31%  mercury,  an  extraction  of  97%  was  also  the  result, 
ivith  but  15  minutes  contact.  Ochre,  again,  is  detrimental,  if  present 
in  excess. 

As  announced  in  our  Press  Bulletin,  No.  40,  May  15,  1917,  the  final 
report  on  these  investigations  will  form  a  portion  of  the  new  bulletin 
on  California's  Quicksilver  Eesources,  which  is  expected  to  be  printed 
and  ready  for  distribution  before  the  end  of  the  present  year. 

Production. 

Though  some  domestic  yield  of  this  metal  is  now  obtained  from 
Texas,  Nevada,  Arizona,  and  Oregon,  the  bulk  of  the  output  still  comes 
from  California. 

The  distribution  of  the  1916  product,  by  counties,  was: 


County 


Amount,  „  , 

flasks  Value 


Colusa    

Lake    

Napa  

San  Benito     

San  Luis  Obispo 

Santa  Clara  

Solano   

Sonoma  

Kern,    Kings,    Monterey,    Santa    Barbara,    Stanislaus    and 
Trinity*    

Totals    


285  $26,648 

1,139  I  106,496 

1,150  I  107,525 

11,110  i  1,032,156 

1,227  i  114,724 

4,016  375,496 

660  i  61,710 

1,039  [  97,146 

801  !  81,524 


21,427  ;  $2,003,425 


•Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  mine  in  each. 

Total  Quicksilver  Production  of  California. 

Total    amount   and   value   of   the   quicksilver  production   of   Cali- 
fornia, as  given  in  available  records,  is  shown  in  the  following  tabula-  \ 
tion.     Though  the  New  Almaden  mine  in  Santa  Clara  County  was  first 
worked  in  1824,  and  has  been  in  practically  continuous  operation  since 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL    PRODUCTION. 


47 


1846  (though  the  yield  was  small  the  first  two  years),  there  are  no 
available  data  on  the  output  earlier  than  1850.  Previous  to  June,  1904, 
a  "flask"  of  quicksilver  contained  7(>^  pounds,  but  since  that  date  75 
pounds.  In  compiling  this  table  the  following  sources  of  information 
were  used:  For  1850-1883,  table  by  J.  B.  Randol,  in  Report  of  State 
Mineralogist,  IV,  p.  336 ;  188.3-1893,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  reports ; 
1894  to  date,  statistical  bulletins  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau;  also 
State  Mining  Bureau,  Bulletin  27,  "Quicksilver  Resources  of  Cali- 
fornia," 1908,  p.  10: 


Tear 


Flasks 


Value 


1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
1884 


7.723 
27.779 
20.000 
22,284 
30.004 
33,000 
30.000 
28.204 
31.000 
13,000 
lO.OOO 
35,000 
42,000  ; 
40,531 
47,489 
53,000 
46,550  I 
47,000 
47,728 
33,811 
30,077 
31,686 
31,621 
27,642  i 
27,756 
50,250 
75,074 
79,396  I 
63,880  ' 
73,684 
59,926 
60,851  , 
52,732  I 
46,725 
31,913 


Average 

price  per 

flask 


Year 


Flasks 


Value 


$768,052 
1,859,248 
1,166,600 
1,235,648 
1,663,722  ' 
1,767,150 
1,549,500  : 
1,374,381 
1,482,730 

820,690 

535,500 
1,471,750 
1,526,700 
1,705,544 
2,179,745 
2.432,700 
2,473,202 
2,157,300 
2.190,715 
1,551,925 
1,725,818  I 
1,999,387 
2,084,773 
2,220,482  i 
2,919,376 
4,228,538 
3,303,256 
2,961,471 
2,101,652 
2,194,674 
1,857,706 
1.815,185 
1,488,624 
1,343.344 

973,347  , 


$99  45 
66  93 
58  33 
55  45 
55  45 
53  55 
51  65 
48  73 
47  83 
63  13 
53  55 
42  05 

36  35 
42  08 
45  90 
45  90 
53  13 
45  90 
45  90 
45  90 
57  38 
63  10 
65  93 
80  33 

105  18 
84  15 
44  00 

37  30 
32  90 
29  85 
31  00 

29  83 
28  23 
28  75 

30  50 


1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
ISOO 
1901 
1902 
1903 


32,073 
29.981 
33,760 
33,250 
26,464 
22,926 
22,904 
27,993 
30,164 
30,416 
36,104 
30,765 
26,691 
31,092 
29,454 
26,317 
26,720 
29,552 
32,094 


1904  *28.876 


1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


Totals 


24,655 
19,516 
17,379 
18,039 
16,217 
17,665 
19.109 
20,600 
15,661 
11,373 
14,199 
21,427 


2,113,346 


$986,245 

1,064,326 

1,430,749 

1,413,125 

1,190,880 

1,203,615 

1,036,406 

1,139,595 

1,108,527 

934,000 

1,337,131 

1,075,449 

993,445 

1,188,626 

1,405,045 

1,182,786 

1,285,014 

1,276,524 

1,335.954 

1,086,323 

886,081 

712,334 

663,178 

763,520 

773,788 

799,002 

879,205 

866,024 

630,042 

557,846 

1,157,449 

2,003,425 


$99,596,094 


Average 

price  per 

flask 


$30  75 

35  50 
42  38 

42  50 
45  00 
52  50 
45  25 
40  71 

36  75 
30  70 

37  04 

34  96 

37  28 

38  23 

47  70 

44  94 

48  46 

43  20 
42  25 

37  62 

35  94 

36  50 

38  16 
42  33 
47  71 

45  23 

46  01 
42  04 
40  23 

49  05 
81  52 
93  50 


*Flasks  of  75  lbs.  since  June,  1904;  of  7CJ  lbs.  previously. 

SILVER. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  VIII,  XII,  XIII, 
XIV.     Bulletin  67. 

Silver  in  California  is  produced  largely  as  a  by-product  from  its 
association  with  copper,  lead,  zinc  and  gold  ores.     As  explained  under 


48 


MINERAIi    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


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STATISTICS    OK    ANNUAL    riJODLCTION. 


49 


the  heading  of  d'old,  the  following  figures  are  those  of  the  U.  S. 
(ieological  Survey.  The  average  price  of  silver  during  1916  was  65.8^ 
per  ounce  at  New  York,  as  compared  with  54.8^  in  1914.  and  50.7^  in 
1915.  During  1916,  the  monthly  average  price  ranged  between  the 
extremes  of  54^  in  January  and  75^  in  JMay.  The  current  year,  1917, 
is  so  far  showing  still  higher  figures. 

'"J'he  mine  jield  of  silver  in  California  in  lOlG  was  2,534,74.3  fine  oimces,  \'aluc(l  at 
.fhiKIT.Stil.  an  inciease  in  (iiiantity  of  SDH.S.'iB  ounces,  and  in  value  of  $835,931.  The 
1  ii-ger  portion  of  tlie  output.  2,303,655  ounces,  valued  at  .$1,515,805,  wa.s  derived  from 
ci-ude  smelling'  ores,  biliceous  oi-es  milled  and  smelted,  yielded  171, (iOO  fine  ounces, 
\ahied  at  $112,iil3.  The  largest  output  of  silver  came,  as  usual,  from  Shasta  County, 
wliicli  produced  from  copper  ores,  l,67'.l,455  ounces,  valued  at  $1,105,081  ;  from  siliceous 
ores,  14,(144  ounces,  valued  at  $9,636;  and  from  placers,  1,146  fine  ounces,  valued  at 
$7.-,4 — a  total  yield  from  the  county  in  silver  of  1,695,245  ounces,  valued  at  $1,115,471. 
In  1915  the  county  produced  906,441  ounces,  valued  at  $459,566.  Inyo  County  followed 
Shasta  in  yield  of  silvei',  the  output  being-  353,254  ounces,  valued  at  $232,441,  an 
increase  as  compared  with  1915  of  100,997  ounces  in  ciuantity  and  of  $104,547  in  value. 
The  total  silver  deiived  from  deep  mines  of  all  classes  In  California  in  1916  was 
2,534,743  ounces,  valued  at  $1,667,861.  The  silver  obtained  with  gold  in  placer  mining 
in  the  State  in  1916  was  29.611  ounces,  valued  at  $19,484.  The  largest  producer  of 
placer  silver   was   Yuba  County — 9.015   ounces,   valued  at   $5,932. 

"With  the  steady  advance  of  silv'er  in  value  has  come  a  reopening  of  some  old 
sih-e:-  and  silver-lead  mines.  Silver  derived  from  purely  silver  ores  in  1916  amounted 
to  7,599  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $5,000.  From  31,127  tons  of  silver-lead  ores  there  was 
derived  323,339  ounces  of  silver,  valued  at  $212,757,  as  well  as  $32,516  in  gold.  From 
16,136  tons  of  lead  ore  was  obtained  2,129  ounces  of  silver  valued  at  $1,401  ;  and  from 
29,079  tons  of  zinc  ore  the  silver  yield  was  60,293  ounces  of  silver,  valued  at  $39,673. 

"From  the  siliceous  ore  and  old  tailings  treated  in  California  in  1916  the  recovery 
of  silver  by  amalgamation  was  94,008  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $61,857;  by  cyanidation, 
75,369  ounces,  valued  at  $49,593;  by  chlorination,  634  ounces,  valued  at  $417;  and  from 
concentrates  sent  to  smelters,  61.077  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $40,189.  From  smelting 
ores  silver  amounting  to  2,303,655  fine  ounces  was  recovered,  valued  at  $1,515,805. 
The  above  figures  do  not  include  the  comparatively  small  quantity  of  silver  i-ecovered 
with   tlie  gold   in  placer  mining  operations." 

The  distribution  of  the  1916  silver  yield,  by  counties,  was  as  follows: 


County 

1 

Value 

County 

Value 

Amador        _      _ 

SF18.705 

Nevada      _  ,      _  _  _    __ 

$35,741 

Butte    

3,332 

Placer  ______             .      .  _  . 

24,928 

Calavora.'!    _____ 

83,643 
2 

1,496 

69  i 

55! 

155 

232,441 

8,745 

1,772 

2,680 

643 

90 

3,606 

Plumas _  _  _           

46,542 

Del  Norte        .             _  _  .    

Riverside         _  _  _.     _  _  __  

338 

El  Dorado _      

Sacramento _    ._ 

3,578 

Fresno _                  _  _ 

San  Bernardino        _        .    

67,146 

Humboldt      ______ 

Shasta     _____ 

1,115,471 

Imperial     .  _ 

Sierra      __  _  _ 

3,291 

Invo         _    _  _      _    __ 

Siskiyou 

2,312 

Kern 

Trinity 

7,591 

Madera _  _        _ 

Tuolumne         _      _      _ 

17,039 

Mariposa     __._-___ 

Yuba 

5,934 

Merced   and   Stanislaus* 

Modoc _  _      _  _      _  _ 

Total            _  .      .      _    _. 

$1,687,S45 

Mono         __  _      

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  property  in  each. 


4—31821 


50 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 


The  value  of  the  silver  produced  in  California  each  year  since  1887, 
is  as  follows : 


Year 


Value 


1887  $1,632,003 

1888   1.700,000 

1889   -—  754.793 

1890  1,060,613 


1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 


953,157 
463,602 
537.157 
297,332 
599,789 
422,463 


Year 


1903  

1904  

1905  

1906  

1907  

1908  

1909  1,091,092  : 


Value 

$517,444 
873,525 
678,494 
817,830 
751,646 
873.057 


1897   452.789 

414.055 

504.012 

1,510,344 

1,229,356 

616.412 


1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 


1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


993,646 
673,336 
799,584 
832,553 
813,938 
851.129 
1,687,345 


Total 


$25,402,496 


TIN. 

Bibliography:  Bulletin  67,  "Cassiterite." 

Tin  is  not  at  present  produced  in  California ;  but  during  1891-1892, 
there  was  some  output  from  a  small  deposit  near  Corona,  in  Riverside 
County,  as  tabulated  below.  Small  quantities  of  stream  tin  have  been 
found  in  some  of  the  placer  workings  in  northern  California,  but  never 
in  paying  amounts. 

In  1916  two  new  occurrences  were  noted  in  northern  San  Diego 
County.  Crystals  of  cassiterite  were  found  there,  associated  with  blue 
tourmaline  crystals,  amblygonite  and  beryl.  No  commercial  quantity 
has  been  developed,  only  small  pockets  having  been  taken  out,  as  yet; 
but  the  prospect  is  an  interesting  one. 

The  principal  source  of  the  world's  supply  of  tin  is  the  Straits  Settle- 
ments on  the  Malay  Peninsula,  followed  in  second  rank  by  Bolivia. 
Siam,  Burma  and  Cornwall  are  also  important  sources.  A  measur- 
able amount  of  the  metal  is  also  recovered  by  de-tinning  scrap  and  old 
cans. 

Total  output  of  tin  in  California : 


Year 

Pounds 

Value 

1891                                                        .                    -_          .  -     

125,289 
126,000 

$27,5^4 

1892 

32,400 

Totals 

251,289 

$59,964 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  51 

TUNGSTEN. 

Bibliography:  Report  on  San  Bernardino  County,  1917;  Bulletins 
38,  67.     U.  S.  G.  S.  Bull.  652.     Proc.  Colo.  Sei.  Soc,  Vol.  XI. 

The  metal,  tungsten,  is  used  mainly  in  the  steel  industry  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  electrical  appliances,  including  the  well-known  tung- 
sten filament  lamps.  Because  of  its  resistance  to  corrosion  by  acids,  it 
is  valuable  in  making  certain  forms  of  chemical  apparatus.  Its  employ- 
ment in  tool  steel  alloys,  permits  the  operation  of  cutting  tools,  such 
as  in  lathe  work,  at  a  speed  and  temperature  at  which  carbon  steel 
would  lose  its  temper — hence  the  name  "high-speed"  steels  for  these 
tungsten  alloys.  As  made  in  the  United  States,  tungsten  forms  13% 
to  20%  of  such  steels.  Some  chromium,  nickel,  cobalt,  or  vanadium 
are  sometimes  also  included. 

Tung.sten  is  introduced  into  the  molten  steel  charge,  either  as  the 
powdered  metal  or  as  ferro-tungsten  (containing  50%-85%  tung- 
sten). The  specific  gravity  of  the  pure  metal,  19.3-21.4,  is  exceeded 
only  by  platinum,  21.5;  iridium,  22.4;  and  osmium,  22.5.  Its  melting 
point  is  3,267°C.  (5,913°F.),  being  higher  than  any  other  known  metal. 
Though  millions  of  tungsten  filament  lamps  are  now  made,  the  wires 
are  so  fine  that  the  metal  they  contain  represents  but  a  few  tons  of 
tungsten  concentrates  annually. 

Tungsten  ore  is  produced  in  California  principally  in  the  Atolia- 
Randsburg  district  in  San  Bernardino  and  Kern  counties,  with  small 
amounts  coming  from  Nevada  County  and  from  the  district  near 
Goffs,  in  eastern  San  Bernardino.  Most  of  the  California  tungsten 
ore  is  scheelite  (calcium  tungstate),  though  wolframite  (iron-manga- 
nese tungstate)  and  hiibnerite  (manganese  tungstate)  also  occur.  The 
deposits  at  Atolia  are  the  largest  and  most  productive  scheelite  deposits 
knoA^Ti,"  and  the  output  has  in  some  years  equaled  or  exceeded  that 
of  ferberite  (iron  tungstate)  from  Boulder  County,  Colorado.  It  is 
interesting  in  this  connection  to  note  that,  in  practically  all  other 
tungsten  producing  districts  of  the  world,  wolframite  is  the  important 
constituent.  Burma,  the  largest  producer,  reports  a  yield  of  approxi- 
mately 2,500  tons  of  wolframite  concentrates  for  1916,  most  of  which 
was  obtained  from  placers,  in  part  associated  with  eassiterite  (tin 
oxide). 

The  value  of  the  ore  is  based  upon  the  content  of  tungstic  trioxide 
(WOg),  and  quotations  are  commonly  made  per  unit  (each  1%)  of 
WOg  present. 


^^U.  S.  G.  S..  Bull  652,  p.  32. 


'^9 


MINERAL    INDT'STRV    <)V    CALTKORNIA. 


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STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


53 


111  1916  there  were  marketed  2,270  tons  of  high-grade  ore  and  con- 
centrates, valued  at  $4,571,521,  which  is  more  than  double  the  tonnage 
and  four  and  one-half  times  the  value  of  the  1915  output.  The  ton- 
nages here  shown  are  re-ealculated  to  a  l)a.sis  of  60%  WO;,,  the  materials 
reported  varying  from  ore  assaying  2%  to  concentrates  running  as  high 
as  75%.  Most  of  the  concentrates  ranged  about  65%.  Previous  to 
1915,  a  single  company  produced  almost  all  of  California's  tungsten. 
During  the  latter  part  of  1915,  and  the  early  months  of  1916,  because 
of  the  high  prices  prevailing,  prospecting  was  much  stimulated,  and 
the  known  tungsten-bearing  areas  have  been  considerably  extended 
both  in  San  Bernardino  and  Kern  counties.  The  accompanying  chart, 
reproduced  by  courtesy  of  the  Foote  Mineral  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
shows  the  rapid  change  in  status  during  that  period.  Shipments 
were  also  made  from  mines  opened  up  in  the  Clark  Mountain  and  New 
York  Mountains  districts  in  eastern  San  Bernardino  County.  In  these 
latter  areas,  wolframite  and  hiibnerite  are  the  principal  ores,  wdth 
some  scheelite,  while  at  Atolia  it  is  scheelite  only.  Scheelite  ore  is  also 
being  extracted  in  Inyo  County  near  Bishoj),  and  two  concentrating 
mills  are  in  operation  with  a  third  under  construction.  The  Nevada 
County  ore  is  also  scheelite. 

Distribution  of  the  1916  output  was  as  follows : 


County 

Tons 

Value 

Kern         .         _                                     _        

193 

1,921 

156 

$482,387 

San  Bernardino    .        __          _.-.             .--           .._ 

3,915,434 

Invo  and  Nevada* 

173,700 

Totals 

2,270 

$4,571,521 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  sing-le  mine  in  Nevada  County. 

The  annual  value  of  tungsten  produced  in  California  since  the  incep- 
tion of  the  industry  is  given  herewith: 


Year 

Value 

Tear 

Value 

1905 

$18,800 
189,100 
120,587 
37,750 
190,500 
208,245 
127,706 

1912     - 

$206,000 

1906 

1913            -          

234,673 

1907 

1914     

180,575 

1908 

1915            .      

1.005,467 

1909 

1916               

4,571,521 

1910   .— 
1911 

Total             -        -     

$7,090,924 

VANADIUM. 
Bibliographij:  Bulletin  67.     P.roc.  Colo.  Sci.  Soc,  -Vol.  XI.     U.  S. 
Bur.  of  Mines,  Bulletin  104. 
No  commercial  production  of  vanadium  has  as  yet  been  made  in 
California.    Occurrences  of  this  metal  have  been  found  at  Camp  Signal, 


54 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


near  Goffs  in  San  Bernardino  County,  and  two  companies  have  done 
considerable  development  work  recently  in  the  endeavor  to  open  up 
paying  quantities.  Each  had  a  mill  under  construction,  in  1916,  but 
apparently  no  commercial  output  was  made.  Ore  carrying  the  mineral 
cuprodescloizite  and  reported  as  assaying  4%  V2O5  is  being  developed. 
There  is  a  growing  demand  for  vanadium,  for  use  in  the  steel  industry. 

ZINC. 

Bibliography:  Report  XIV.     Bulletins  38,  67. 

Zinc  Avas  produced  in  Shasta,  Inyo  and  San  Bernardino  counties 
during  1916,  to  the  amount  of  15,950,565  pounds,  valued  at  $2,137,375. 
This  is  a  material  increase  both  in  tonnage  and  value  over  the  previous 
year,  and  is  due  to  the  continued  stimulation  of  the  market,  chargeable 
to  the  European  war.  The  average  price  for  the  year  was  13.4^  per 
pound,  as  compared  to  5.1^  during  1914,  and  14.2^  in  1915. 

The  zinc  ores  of  Shasta  County  are  associated  with  copper,  while 
those  of  Inj^o  and  San  Bernardino  are  associated  mainly  with  lead- 
silver  ores.  The  ores  were  shipped  to  eastern  smelters  for  treatment. 
An  electrolytic  zinc  plant  with  a  capacity  of  25  tons  of  spelter  daily 
has  been  built  by  the  Mammoth  Copper  Co.  at  Kennett,  and  is 
now  (July,  1917)  in  operation.  The  experimental  electrolytic  plant 
at  the  Bully  Hill  copper  mine  is  stated  to  be  in  operation,  while  the 
experimental  plant  of  the  Reed  Zinc  Co.  at  Palo  Alto  was  idle  in  1916, 
though  operated  in  1915  on  bag-house  fume  from  Shasta  County. 

The  accompanying  chart  reproduced  from  a  recent  press  bulletin  of 
the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  gives  a  graphic  representation  of  the 
fluctuations  in  spelter  prices  for  the  years  1914,  1915  and  1916. 

The  production,  by  counties,  was  as  follows: 


County 


Pounds 


Value 


Tnvo    5,758,703  $771,666 

San   Bernardino   707,062  ,           94,746 

Shasta   9,484,800  1,270,963 

Totals    :  15.950,565  $2,137,375 


Total  figures  for  zinc  output  of  the  state  are  as  follows; 


Tear                          Pounds 

Value 

Tear 

Pounds 

Value 

1906 

206,000 

177,759 
54.000 

$12,568 

10,598 
3,544 

1913    

1.157.947  '           ?64.84.^ 

1907 

1Q0R 

1914 

1915    

399.641              20,381. 
13,043.411          1.617,383 

1909 

1916 

15,950,565          2,137,375 

iQin 

Totals  

1911 

1912 

2.679.842 
4,331,391 

152.751 

298,866 

38.000.556        $4,318,309 

JAN.     FEE    FEE 

1916 

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S.  G.   S.,  press 

bul 

letin,  Apr.  6,   1917. 

55 


$0.26 


.25 


.24 


rem 

.23 

ruc- 

ned, 

.22 

rials 

.21 

for 

e  of 

.20 

s  of 

a  of 

.19 

mia, 

.18 

■ease 
ones 

.17 

irely 

row- 

.16 

\  an 

y  in 

.15 

nent 

14 

ased 

fhtly 

.13 

con- 

.12 

e,  as 

.11 

nual 

le  to 

.10 

11  be 

t  for 

100 

90 

and 
itpiit 

80 

70 

60 

SO 

30 


1914 

JAN.     FEB.  MAR.  APR.  MAY     JUNE  JULV     AUS.  SEPT  OCT. 


1915  1916 

NOV.  DEC.    JAN      FEB.   MAR    APR.    MAY   JUNE  JULY    AUS.  SEPT  OCT.     NOV.  DEC.     JAN.     FEB.    MAR.    APR,     MAY    JUNE  JULY    AUG    SEPT     OCT    NOV     DEC 


Average  weekly  price  of  spelter  at  St.  Louis  and  London,  and  of  60%  zinc  concentrates  at  Joplin,   1914-1916 — from  U.  S.  G.   S..  press  bulletin,  Apr.  6,   1917. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  55 


CHAPTER   FOUR. 

STRUCTURAL   MATERIALS. 

As  indicated  by  this  chapter  heading,  the  mineral  substances  herein 
considered  are  those  more  or  less  directly  used  in  building  and  struc- 
tural work.  California  is  independent,  so  far  as  these  are  concerned, 
and  almost  any  reasonable  construction  can  be  made  with  materials 
produced  in  the  state.  This  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  for 
1916  was  valued  at  $15,560,445,  as  compared  with  a  total  value  of 
$13,481,947  for  the  year  1915.  Only  a  few  years  ago  its  value  was  of 
but  small  significance  in  considering  the  total  mineral  production  of 
the  state.  "With  the  growth,  in  population  and  otherwise,  of  California, 
this  subdivision  of  the  mineral  industry  in  the  state  will  increase 
indefinitely.  Deposits  of  granite,  marble  and  other  building  stones 
are  distributed  widely  throughout  the  state,  and  slowly  but  surely 
transportation  and  other  facilities  are  being  extended  so  that  the  grow- 
ing demand  may  be  met.  The  largest  single  item,  cement,  has  had  an 
interesting  record  of  growth  since  the  inception  of  the  industry  in 
California  about  1891.  Not  until  1904  did  the  annual  value  of  cement 
produced  reach  the  million-dollar  mark,  following  which  it  increased 
500%  in  nine  years;  though  the  last  three  years  it  has  fallen  slightly 
below  its  high-level  mark. 

Crushed  rock  production  is  yearly  becoming  more  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, due  to  the  strides  recently  taken  in  the  use  of  concrete,  as 
well  as  to  activity  in  the  building  of  good  roads.  Brick,  with  an  annual 
output  worth  approximately  $2,000,000,  has  slowly  decreased,  due  to 
the  popularity  of  cement  and  concrete;  nevertheless,  this  item  will  be 
an  important  one  for  many  years  to  come,  and  of  course,  a  market  for 
fire  and  fancy  brick  of  all  kinds  will  never  be  lacking. 

Fifty-four  counties  contributed  to  this  structural  total  for  1916,  and 
there  is  not  a  county  in  the  state  which  is  not  capable  of  some  output 
of  at  least  one  of  the  materials  under  this  classification. 


54 

near 
consi 
payi: 
appa 
cupr 
Ther 


Zi] 
durii 
This 
year, 
to  tl: 
poun 

Tl] 
those 
silve 
An  ( 
has 
now 
at  tl: 
expe 
thou, 

Th 
the 
fliicti 

Th 


Inyo 

Ran 

Shasi 


To 


I 


1906  . 

1907  - 

1908  . 
1909. 

1910  _ 

1911  _ 

1912  . 


STATlfclTlCS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  55 


CHAPTER  FOUR, 

STRUCTURAL   MATERIALS. 

As  indicated  by  thi.s  chapter  heading,  the  mineral  substances  herein 
considered  are  those  more  or  less  directly  used  in  building  and  struc- 
tural work.  California  is  independent,  so  far  as  these  are  concerned, 
and  almost  any  reasonable  construction  can  be  made  with  materials 
produced  in  the  state.  This  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  for 
1916  was  valued  at  $15,560,445,  as  compared  with  a  total  value  of 
$13,481,947  for  the  year  1915.  Only  a  few  years  ago  its  value  was  of 
but  small  significance  in  considering  the  total  mineral  production  of 
the  state.  With  the  growth,  in  population  and  otherwise,  of  California, 
this  subdivision  of  the  mineral  industry  in  the  state  will  increase 
indefinitely.  Deposits  of  granite,  marble  and  other  building  stones 
are  distributed  widely  throughout  the  state,  and  slowly  but  surely 
transportation  and  other  facilities  are  being  extended  so  that  the  grow- 
ing demand  may  be  met.  The  largest  single  item,  cement,  has  had  an 
interesting  record  of  growth  since  the  inception  of  the  industry  in 
California  about  1891.  Not  until  1904  did  the  annual  value  of  cement 
produced  reach  the  million-dollar  mark,  following  which  it  increased 
500%  in  nine  years;  though  the  last  three  years  it  has  fallen  slightly 
below  its  high-level  mark. 

Crushed  rock  production  is  yearly  becoming  more  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, due  to  the  strides  recently  taken  in  the  use  of  concrete,  as 
well  as  to  activity  in  the  building  of  good  roads.  Brick,  with  an  annual 
output  worth  approximately  $2,000,000,  has  slowly  decreased,  due  to 
the  popularity  of  cement  and  concrete ;  nevertheless,  this  item  will  be 
an  important  one  for  many  years  to  come,  and  of  course,  a  market  for 
fire  and  fancy  brick  of  all  kinds  will  never  be  lacking. 

Fifty-four  counties  contributed  to  this  structural  total  for  1916,  and 
there  is  not  a  county  in  the  state  which  is  not  capable  of  some  output 
of  at  least  one  of  the  materials  under  this  classification. 


56 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


The  following  table  gives  the  comparative  figures  for  the  value  of 
structural  materials  produced  in  Californin  during  the  years  1915  and 
1916: 


Sulistanoe 

i:il.-. 
Ainmint                       X'aliu* 

liiii; 

.\iiiimiit 

Value 

Iiicrei'.se_l_ 
Value 

Bituiiiinou.'!    rock    

Brick  and  tile 

17,7S')  tors             !t;i.4)-; 

ia),538M.                  1,078,7.% 

4,!)18,27^  bbls.              <),W4,()."jO 

3,725  tons                  38,044 

''27,!i2S 

ll).44<)  tons 
20C,9oO  M. 
5,2n<),5()7  bbls. 

4S  04?  tons 

1 

!fii.-)3i  :        *.-)(!'«  + 

2,09fi,.37O           -117,814  f 
6  210,293  '         I().j3-I3  + 

CPiiient     --- . 

Oliroiiiitp   . -    . 

Gnuiite   

:):;:),3:ji)          :^(,7,41H- 

493,('3J  bbls.               m)j':')           10K171  + 

Ini  ()"i9  form                1  'ill  ca*          ^  noa  'qo_l 

Lime  .. 

3.-.fi.53l  bbls.                 280,304 
30,721  tons               283,-'61 
22,180  CO.  ft.               41,518 

(i  !,:^.";(l  (  u.  It.                   S,43S 

l,(M;os(|uares             5,0(iO 
4,783,180 

Mugncsite    .  . 

Marble 

25,9.54  cil.  ft. 

17,270  en.  ft. 

lit  *^J^)     '                     S  '7«'>-L. 

Saniistons  

Slate  

1(1,271 

1  ^??,+ 
.J.CO!)— 

fiii.fim— 

Miscellaneous    stone    --  .. 

4,171,519  i 

Totals   

$13,459047 

$15,.'=61,445 

Net  increase  _. 

ii<2,101,398+ 

1 

ASPHALT. 
BihJm/rapJn/:    State    :\linera]Ggi.st    Reports    \U,    X.    XIT.    XITI, 
XIV.     Bulletins  16  and  82. 

AspliMlt  was  foi-  ;i  luiiiihcr  of  years  accounted  for  in  i'(»ports  hy  the 
State  Mining'  Bureau,  heeause  in  the  early  days  of  the  oil  industry, 
considerable  asphalt  was  in-oduced  from  outcroppings  of  oil  sand,  and 
was  a  separate  industry  from  the  jiroduction  of  oil  itself.  However, 
at  the  present  time  most  of  the  asphalt  eomes  from  the  oil  refineries, 
which  produce  a  ])etter  and  more  uniform  grade;  hence  its  value  is 
not  now  included  in  the  mineral  total,  as  to  do  so  would  be  a  partial 
duplication  of  the  crude  petroleum  figures.  Such  natural  asphalt  as  is 
at  present  mined  is  in  the  form  of  l)ituiiiinoiis  sandstones,  and  is 
recorded  under  that  designation. 

The  ])roduction  of  refinery  asphalt  from  16  refiiK^-ies  during  1916 
was  approximately  258,000  tons,  valued  at  $1,959,000;  as  compared 
with  166,941  tons,  worth  $1,363,207  for  1915.  California  leads  all 
other  states  of  the  Union  in  such  production,  as  her  crude  oils  are 
almost  entirely  of  asphaltie  base. 

BITUMINOUS  ROCK. 
Bibliography :  State  Mineralogi.st  Eeports  XII,  XIII. 
Bituminous  rock  is  used  in  a  number  of  places,  principally  for  road 
dressing ;  but  the  manufacture  of  asphalt  at  the  oil  refineries  has  almost 
eliminated  the  industry  of  mining  bituminous  rock.  The  production 
during  1916  from  one  quarry  each  in  Santa  Cruz,  San  Luis  Obispo  and 
Santa  Barbara  counties  was  19,449  tons,  valued  at  $66,561,  compared 
with  17,789  tons  and  $61,468  in  1915. 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL    PRODUCTION. 


57 


The  following  tabulation  shows  the  total  amount  and  value  of  bitu- 
minous rock  (juarried  and  sold  in  California,  from  the  records  com- 
piled by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  annually  since  1887 : 


Year 

Tons 

Value             Tear 

1 

Tons 

• 

Value 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

36,000 
50.000 
40,000 
40,000 
39,962 
24,000 
32,000 
31,214 
38,921 
49.456 
45.470 
46.836 
40.321 
25,306 
24,052 
33,490 

$160,000 

257,000 

170,000 

170,000 

154.164 

72.000 

192,036 

115,193 

121,586 

122,500 

128,173 

137.575 

116,097 

71,495 

66,354 

43,411 

1 
1903  

1904 

1905 

1906  

21,944 
45,280 
24.753 
16077 
24,122 
30,718 
34,123 
87,547 
75,125 
44.073 
37,541 
66,119 
17.789 
19,149 

$53,106 

175.680 

60,436 

45.204 

1891 

1892 

1893   -   -   _ 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

72,835 
109,818 
116.436 

1894 . 

1895  .  -   -   . 

16.5.711 
117.279 

1896 

1897  

1912 

1913   .   -   

87.467 
78.479 

J898   -.   -  .,  -. 

1914   -.             .      - 

166.618 

1899 

1900  ...  

1915 

1916   

61.468 
66,561 

1Q01 

Totals  

1 

1902 

1.141,688 

,T3,474,6S2 

BRICK  and  TILE. 

BibliograpJnj:  Report  XIV.     Bulletin  38. 

As  would  be  expected  in  a  state  with  diversitied  and  widespread 
mineral  resources,  a  great  variety  of  brick  is  annually  produced  in 
California,  including  common,  fire,  pressed,  glazed,  sand-lime,  and 
other.s.  As  far  as  possible  the  different  kinds  have  been  segregated  in 
the  following  tabulation.  AVe  also  include  under  this  heading  the 
various  forms  of  hollow  building  "tile"  or  l)locks,  instead  of  under 
industrial  pottery  clays  as  in  earlier  reports : 

According  to  Bulletin  No.  38,  issued  l)y  the  California  State  Mining 
Bureau,  the  following  analyses  show  the  average  and  the  maximum 
and  minimum  of  the  ingredients  commonly  occurring  in  brick  clays.  A 
clay  in  which  the  percentage  of  any  one  or  more  of  the  ingredients 
mentioned  is  much  above  the  maximum  given  or  beloAv  the  minimum 
will  prove  an  inferior,  if  not  worthless,  clay  for  even  common  brick. 

Chemical  Analyses  of  Common   Brick  Clays. 


Average, 
per  cent 


Minimum, 
per  cent 


llaximum. 
per  cent 


Silica    (SiOo),    combined 

Silica   sand   

Alumina    (AUO;,)     

Water    (IIjO),  combined 

Water  moisture 

Iron    oxide     (FcOj) 

Lime    (CaO)    

Magnesia    (MgO)    

Alkalies    (K,0,  Na^O)  — 


15.0 
55.0 
14.0 
4.0 
2.0 
4.0 
1.5 
1.5 
3.5 


12.0 
20.0 
11.0 
3.0 
0.0 
2.5 
0.5 
0.3 
2.0 


30.0 
60.0 
25.0 
9.0 
6.0 
8.0 
7.0 
7.0 
7.0 


The  detailed  figures  of  brick  production  for  11)16,  by  counties,  are 
as  follows : 


58 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


O 

H 


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STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


59 


Record  of  brick  production  in  the  state  has  been  kept  since  1893  by 
this  Bureau.  The  annual  and  total  figures  since  that  date,  for  amount 
and  value,  are  given  in  the  following  table: 


Tear 

Thousands 

Value 

1                   Year 

1 

Thousands 

Valu* 

1893 

103,900 

81,675 

131,772 

24,000 

97,468 

100,102 

125,950 

137,191 

1^0.766 

169,851 

214,403 

281,750 

286,618 

$801,750 
457,125 
672,360 
524,740 
563,240 
571  362 

1 
1906 

277.762 
362.167 
332.872 
333.846 
340,883 
327.474 
337,233 
358.754 
270,791 
180.538 
206,960 

$2,538,848 

1894 

1907    

3,438,951 

1895 

1908           .      

2,506,495 

1896 

1897 

1909 

1 1910           

3,059,929 
2,934,731 

1898 

1911 

2,638,121 

1899 

754,730 
905,210 

1912    

2,940,290 

1900 

1 1913    

2,915,350 

1901 

860,488 
1,306,215 
1,999,546 
1,994,740 
2,273,786 

1914           .    

2,288,227 

1902 

1915       .  .    

1,678,756 

1903 

1916       

2.096,570 

lOflJ 

Totals    

1905 

5,214,729 

$42,721,-560 

CEMENT. 
Bihliography:    State  Mineralogist  Reports  VIII,  IX,  XII,  XIV. 
Bulletin  38. 

Cement  is  one  of  the  most  important  structural  materials  in  the  out- 
put of  the  state.  During  1916  there  was  produced  a  total  of  5,299,507 
barrels,  valued  at  $6,210,293.  This  output  comes  from  nine  operating 
plants  in  seven  counties,  employing  approximately  2,500  men.  The 
enlargement  of  this  industry,  of  course,  depends  upon  the  growth  of 
surrounding  communities,  and  a  summary  of  the  lime  and  clay  deposits 
of  the  state  shows  that  considerable  enlargement  is  quite  possible. 

The  cement  industry  is  so  centralized  that  it  is  impossible  to  appor- 
tion the  production  to  the  counties  in  which  plants  are  located  without 
making  private  business  public.  With  the  exception  of  San  Bernar- 
dino, no  county  has  more  than  one  cement  plant.  The  three  operating 
plants  in  San  Bernardino  County,  in  1916,  made  a  total  of  1,036,000 
barrels,  valued  at  $1,246,000 ;  the  balance  coming  from  a  single  plant 
in  each  of  the  following  counties :  Contra  Costa,  Kern,  Napa,  Riverside, 
Santa  Cruz  and  Solano. 

"Portland"  cement  was  first  commercially  produced  in  the  state  in 
1891 ;  though  in  1860  and  for  several  years  following,  a  natural 
hydraulic  cement  from  Benicia  was  utilized  in  building  operations  in 
San  Francisco.  While  the  total  figures  are  not  of  the  same  magnitude 
as  those  for  gold  and  petroleum,  the  growth  of  the  industry  has  been 
more  than  rapid,  and  a  comparison  of  the  annual  figures  representing 
the  output  since  the  inception  of  the  industry  is  of  interest. 


60 


MlNERAIi    TNDTTSTRY   OF    CALTFORNIA. 


State   Highway   Bridge  over  the   Sacramento   River  at  Dunsmiiir,   showing  use  of  California  cement 
and  crushed  rock  in  a  reinforced  concrete  structure. 


Annual  production  of  cem(^.nt  in  California  has  been  as  follows; 


Year 

Barrels 

Value 

Year 

Barrels 

Value 

1891      

5,000 
5.000 

$15,000 
15,000  j 

1905       

1.265,553 
1,286,000 
1,613,563 
1.629,615 
3,779,205 
5,453,193 
6,371,369 
6.198,634 
6,167,806 
5,109,218 
4,918,275 
5,299,507 

$1,791,916 

1892    

1906    

1,941,250 

1S93                  

1907           -      --     -- 

2.585.577 

1894    

8,000 

16,383 

9,500 

18,000 

50,000 

60,000 

52,000 

71,800 

171,000 

640,868 

969.538 

21,600 

32,556 

28,250 

66.000 

150.000 

180.000 

121.000 

1908 

2,3.59,692 

1895 

1909 

4,969,437 

1896        .  .     .     

1910 

7,485,715 

1897 

1911 

9,085,625 

1898 

1912 

6,074.661 

1899 

1913 

7,743.024 

1900        ,  -      

1914    . 

6,558.148 

1901     

159,842 
423,600 
968  797  ' 

1915 

6.044.950 

1902        -  -      

1916      

6,210.2!):-! 

IPO*? 

1904 

1.539,807   i         Totals 

51.169,027 

$66,571,670 

STATl.^TICS    OK    ANNllAL    PUODlCTloN . 


61 


CHROMITE. 

Bibliographii:    State    ^Mineralogist    Reports    IV,    XII,    XIII,    XIV; 

Bulletin  3S.     V.  S.  (I   S.,  Bull.  4:30.     :\Iin.  &  Sei.  Pre.ss,  Vol. 

114.  p.  552. 

Chromic  iron  ore,  or  ehromite,  to  the  amount  of  48,94:5  short  tons 

valued  at  -1^717,244.  f .  o.  b.  shii)ping  point  was  mined  and  .shipped  iti 

California  during  the  year  1*>1().     This  is  a  thirteeu-fold  increase  in 

quantity  and  19  times  the  total   value  for   1915,   which  .showed  :i725 

tons  worth  $:38,()44.     Chromite  is  widely  distributed  in  this  state,  the 

1916  output  coming  from  25  counties,  tlu'  larger  anmunts  being  credited 

to  Shasta,  Fresno,  El  Dorad.).  Tulare,  and  Siskiy<;u  in  the  order  named. 

Economic   Conditions. 

Chromite  is  another  of  California's  mim  rals  atfeeted  by  the  economic 
conditions  brought  about  by  tlie  European  war.  The  major  portion  of 
our  domestic  requirements  fe.r  chiome  is  for  consinnption  in  the  steel 
mills  of  the  east.  Formerly,  most  of  that  used  was  imported  from 
Rhodesia  and  New  Caledonia,  and  they  are  still  the  more  important 
sources.  The  reports  of  the  V.  S.  Department  of  Commerce,  show  the 
foreign  imports  of  chromic  iron  for  the  four  years  1913-1916  (inc.) 
to  have  been  49,772  :  74.686  ;  76,455 :  and  114,655  long  tons,  respectively. 
Similarly  to  conditions  already  discussed  under  manganese  (see  ante), 
the  increased  demand  for  steel  products  has  also  increased  the  necessity 
for  chromite  as  a  refractory  and  for  the  preparation  of  ferro-chrome. 
Our  own  domestic  sources  are  supplying  a  part  of  the  increased  demand, 
and  .some  tonnage  is  coming  from  Canada. 

According  to  Dolbear,^*  "to  be  readily  salable  chrome  ore  should 
contain  at  least  40^^  chromic  oxide  (Cr.,0.,)  and  less  than  8% 
silica  (SiO.,).  Some  ore  is  sold  which  carries  not  more  than  307c. 
Cr.,0..:;  sometimes  SiO,  as  liigh  as  10%  to  15%  is  permitted.  Ore 
containing  40%  Cr.X");.  is  more  satisfactory  in  lire-brick  manufacture 
that  30%  or  50%.  ore.  When  other  grades  are  purchased  they  are 
sometimes  crushed  and  mixed  with  high(n'  or  lower  grades,  as  may  be 
required,  to  secure  a  40%   product."' 

OccL'rrence. 

Until  1916,  when  some  shipments  wei'e  made  from  Oregon  and 
smaller  amounts  from  Maryland,  Wyoming  and  Wa.shington,  our  only 

I'K.  H.  Dolbear,  Min.  &  Sci.  Pre.ss,  Apr.  21,  1917,  r-  554. 


62  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OP    CALIFORNIA. 

domestic  production  of  chromite  came  from  California.  There  are  two 
main  belts  here  yielding  thi.s  inineral — one,  along  the  Coast  Ranges 
from  San  Luis  Obispo  County  to  the  Oregon  line,  including  Klamath 
Mountains  at  the  north  end,  and  the  other  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  from 
Tulare  County  to  Plumas  County.  Chromite  occurs  as  lenses  in  basic 
igneous  rocks  such  as  peridotite  and  pyroxenite,  and  in  serpentine 
which  has  been  derived  by  alteration  of  such  basic  rocks.  For  the  most 
part,  so  far  as  developments  have  yet  shown,  the  lenses  have  proven  to 
be  small,  relatively  few  of  them  jdelding  over  100  tons  apiece.  A 
notable  exception  to  this  was  the  deposit  on  Little  Castle  Creek  near 
Dunsmuir,  from  which  upwards  of  15,000  tons  were  shipped  before 
it  was  exhausted.  Deposits  now  being  opened  up  in  Del  Norte  County 
promise  well  for  a  large  tonnage,  according  to  recent  field  observations 
of  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau.  On  the  whole, 
the  ore  bodies  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  state  appear  to  aver- 
age larger  in  size  than  the  chromite  lenses  in  other  parts  of  California. 

Concentration  is  being  considered  in  several  localities  to  improve  the 
shipping  product,  and  thus  utilize  some  of  the  disseminated  and  lower 
grade  ore  bodies  which  have  been  found. 

The  major  consumption  of  chromic  iron  ore  is  for  its  use  as  a  refrac- 
tory lining  in  smelting  furnaces  for  steel  and  copper.  A  smaller 
portion  is  used  in  the  preparation  of  ferro-chrome  for  chrome-steel 
alloys.  Some  of  the  California  product  in  1916  was  converted  into 
ferro-chrome  in  the  electric  furnacas  of  the  Noble  Electric  Steel  Com- 
pany at  Heroult,  Cal.,  and  some  of  it  was  similarily  reduced  in  electric 
furnaces  at  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.  A  small  amount  of  high-grade  ore 
was  utilized  in  preparation  of  ehromates  for  tanning. 

Prices  and    Production. 

During  1916,  the  prices  in  California  on  the  basis  of  40%  chromic 
oxide  ranged  from  $14-$20  per  ton  f.  o.  b.,  with  a  premium  for  higher 
grades  and  deductions  for  lower.  The  producer's  reports  to  the  State 
Mining  Bureau  indicate  an  average  of  $14.65  per  ton  received  for  all 
grades  for  the  year.  In  June,  1917,  sales  were  being  made  at  60(^-65^ 
per  unit  for  40%-45%  ore,  or  $24  per  ton  for  40%.  For  the  eastern 
buyer,  to  these  prices  must  be  added  $10  per  ton  freight  charges  to 
Chicago,  or  $14.86  a  ton  to  the  eastern  seaboard. 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  63 

The  distribution  of  the  1916  product,  by  counties,  Avas  as  follows: 


County 


Tods 


Value 


Alameda  

Amador    

Butte    

Calaveras   

El  Dorado  

Fresno  

Lake   

Napa  

Nevada    J 

Placer    

San   Luis   Obispo 

Santa  Clara  

Shasta  

Siskiyou 

Sonoma    

Tehama  

Tulare    

Tuolumne    

Del   Norte,   Glenn,   Plumas,   Sierra,   Stanislaus,   Trinity, 
Yuba*  

Totals    


612 

300 

1,451 

1.636 

5,260 

9,060 

871 

715 

981 

774 

1,855 

136 

12,425 

2,251 

243 

1,896 

3,435 

285 

4,757 


$7,344 

3.700 
13,940 
12,570 
72,560 
151,824 
15,070 
11,559 
12,795 
11,956 
27,733 

2,028 

181,225 

28,731 

2,478 
39,702 
42,555 

4,556 

74,918 


48,943 


$717,244 


♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  mine  in  each. 

The  annual  output  of  chromite  since  1887  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

3,000 

$40,000 

1903 

150 

$2,250 

1888 

1,500 

20.000 

1904 

123 

1.845 

1889 

2.000 

30,000 

1905 

40 

600 

1890 

3,599 

53,985 

1906 

317 

2.859 

1891 

1,372 

20,580 

1907 

302 

6,040 

1892 

1,500 

22,500 

1908 

350 

6,195 

1893 -. 

3,319 

49,785 

1909 

436 

5,309 

1894 

3,680 

39.980 

1910 

749 

9,707 

1895 

1,740 

16,795 

1911 

935 

14,197 

1896 

786 

7,775 

1912 

1,270 

11,260 

1897 

1913 

1,180 

12,700 

1898 

1914 

1,517 

9.434 

1899 

1915 

3,725 

38.044 

190O _. 

140 

1.400 

1916  

...   48,943 

717.244 

1901 

130 

1,950 

1902 

315 

4,725 

Totals  

.-.,   83,118 

$1,147,259 

I 


64  INIINEKAL    INDl'STKV    Oi'    CAI.IFOKNJA. 

GRANITE. 
Bibliograplni :    Slat(>   JMineralo^ist   Reports   X,   XIT,   XIII,   XIV; 
Bulletin  38.  . 

In  the  reports  for  several  years  previous  to  the  present  one,  granite 
was  treated  in  a  subdivisifin  under  "Stone  Industry"  or  under  "Mis- 
cellaneoTis  Stone."  We  have  here  rearranged  the  .su1)jeets,  somewhat, 
and  now  give  granite  a  s;'p;UMt.'  licadiiii.  as  hatl  j)reviously  l)oen  done 
with  niarhh'  and  sandstone.  Ci  ushcd  lock  and  paving  hloelcs  derived 
rr;:in  gijinile  (luarriis  ;n  e  contiiuifd  under  1lie  luading  of  "^li.seel- 
lani  ous  Stcne. '" 

'i'lie  (M'.tiiut  (f  gravite.  i)art'(':dnr!y  for  l)uihliiig  and  oi'uaniental 
piMixscs  sliows  a  fallina;  o  V  1  le  past  two  years,  from  e.irlier  annual 
amcunts.  In  1!)!."),  this  was  due  nunnly  to  a  strike  of  the  granite 
cutters  which  covered  practically  all  of  the  last  ludf  of  tlie  year.  That 
granite  is  not  used  more  is  probalily  due  to  its  greater  cost  as  compared 
to  concrete  and  ornamental  brick  and  tile  for  building.  In  1916,  the 
San  Fra)icis('o  City  If  all  and  the  Sub-Treasury  Building  liaving  been 
completed,  the  only  other  large  public  buildings  under  construction 
utilizing  granite  were  two  on  Ihc  cainpns  of  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia in  Berkeley. 

California  building  granites,  particularly  the  varieties  from  Ray- 
mond, ^ladera  County,  and  Rocklin.  Placer  County,  are  unexcelled  by 
any  similar  stone  found  elsewhere.  In  so  far  as  it  has  been  possible 
to  do  so,  granite  production  has  been  segregated  in  the  following  table 
into  the  various  nses  to  which  the  product  was  put.  It  will  be  noted, 
however,  that  a  portion  of  Ihe  output  has  been  entered  under  the 
heading  "Unclassilied'".  This  is  necessai'y  ])ecause  of  the  fact  that 
some  of  the  producers  have  no  way  of  telling  to  what  s])ecific  use  their 
stone  was  i)ut  after  they  had  ([uarried  and  sold  the  same. 

The  distril)ution  of  the  1916  pi-oduct,  l)y  counties,  was  as  follows: 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


65 


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66 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  value  of  granite  produced,   annually  since  1887,  has  been  as 
follows : 


Year 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1887  ..  . 

$iro,ooo 

57,000 
1,329,018 
1,200,000 
1,300,0(JO 
1,000,000  ■ 
531,322 
228,816 
224,329  ! 
201,004 
188,024 
147,732 
141,070 
29.5,772  1 
519,285  i 
255,2o9 

1903  

1904   

1905  

iro6  

UK)7   

1908  

190J)  

1910  

1911 

.$678,670 
467,472 
353,837 
344,083 
373,376 
512.923 
376  834 

1888  

1889  

1890  

1891   

1892     _    _. 

1893 . 

1894  .-.    ..    . 

417  898 

1895  

35.5,742 

1896  

1912 

362,975 

1897   

1913 

981,277 

1898  

1914   

1915  

1916  

ToUil    

628,786 

1899  -     . 

227,928 

190O  

535,339 

11,01 

1902  

$14,385,751 

LIME. 
Bibliograplnj:  Bulletin  38. 

Lime  to  tlie  amount  of  493,635  barrels,  valued  ;it  $390,475,  was 
produced  from  eight  counties  during  1916.  as  compared  with  356,534 
barrels,  valued  at  $286,304,  in  1915.  Thi.s  figure  includes  only  such 
lime  as  is  used  in  building  operations.  That  utilized  in  sugar  making, 
for  smelter  flux,  and  as  a  fertilizer  are  classified  under  "Industrial 
Materials".  That  consumed  in  cement  manufacture  i.s  included  in  the 
value  of  cement. 

Distribution,  by  counties,  is  shown  in  the  following  table: 


County 

Barrels 

Value 

San  Bernardino       ..    ._.    .      ._  _ 

151.670 
176.263 
165,702 

$54,317 
225,485 
110.673 

Santa   Cruz     . _      . 

Amador.  El  Dorado,  Kern,  Shasta,  Siskiyou,  Tuolumne*. 

Totals    

493,635 

$390,475 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  plant  in   each. 

For  table  of  production  by  years,  see  under   "industrial"  limestone. 

MAGNESITE. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV;  Bulle- 
tin 38.    U.  S.  G.  S.  Bulletins  355,  540.    Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol. 
114,  p.  237. 

Magnesite  has  for  a  number  of  years  been  known  to  exist  in  many 
localities  in  California.  In  quality  it  is  very  high  grade,  many  deposits 
yielding   material   carrying   above   95%    magnesium   carbonate.      The 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


67 


deposits  are  mostly  in  the  metamorphic  rocks  of  the  Coast  Range  and 
Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  and  are  scattered  over  an  area  nearly  four 
hundred  miles  long-.  One  deposit  of  sedimentary  origin  is  situated  in 
the  jNIojave  Desert  region,  in  Kern  County.  Up  to  the  end  of  1916, 
California  was  the  only  state,  of  record,  in  the  United  States,  producing 
magnesite  in  commercial  quantities  (or  in  fact,  on  the  North  American 


\ 


Shaft  furnace   of  Western   Magnesite   Development   Co.,   at   Red   Mountain, 
Santa  Clara   County,   California. 

Continent).  For  the  current  year,  1917,  Washington  has  joined  us. 
In  1916,  a  small  tonnage  of  magnesite  was  shipped  from  Atlin,  British 
Columbia,  to  England. 

During  the  year  1916,  the  activity  begun  in  1915  not  only  continued 
but  was  increased  several-fold,  so  that  California's  output  was  raised 
from  the  30,721  tons  worth  $283,461  in  1915  to  154,052  tons  worth 


68 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


.$1,311,893  in  1916.  This  exceeds  both  in  tonnage  and  value  the  previous 
total  output  of  the  state  to  the  end  of  1915.  The  great  activitj^  in  the 
steel  industry  has  called  for  a  much  larger  tonnage  of  refractories,  such 
as  inagnesite  and  chrome,  for  furnace  linings.  The  complete  shutting 
off  of  the  Austrian  supplies,  and  transportation  difficulties  interfering 
with  importations  from  Greece,  has  caused  the  eastern  steel  operators 
to  look  to  California  for  magnesite.  How  well  we  have  responded  is 
shown  by  the  figures  given  above.  The  permanejit  nature  of  the 
improvements   and   development   work   at   .some   of   tlie    deposits   gives 


Rotary   kiln  of  Sonoma   Magnesite   Co.,  at   Magnesite,   Sonoma   County,   California. 

promise  that  future  production  will  continue  important  for  some  years 
3'et.  at  least. 

The  photographs,  herewith,  illustrate  the  two  types  of  furnaces  used 
in  calcining  magnesite  in  California. 


Producirg   Districts. 

The  Porterville  district  in  Tulare  County  continues  to  be  the  most 
important  in  the  state.  The  Tulare  INIining  Company,  for  some  years 
past  the  largest  single  producer,  was  closely  pressed  in  1916  by  two 
others.  The  magnesite  is  stoped  in  underground  workings,  and  calcined 
in  two  vertical  shaft  kilns.  A  railroad  spur  runs  direct  to  the  fur- 
naces.    The  Porterville  Magnesite  Company  both  stopes  and  quarries 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAIj   PRODUCTION.  69 

its  ore.  and  for  the  greater  part  of  1916  shipped  the  product  crude, 
later  putting  a  rotary  kiln  into  service.  A  second  rotary  has  since 
been  installed.  The  Lindsay  Mining  Company  built  a  railroad  spur 
to  its  loading  chutes,  and  for  a  time  shipped  the  crude  ore  direct  east. 
Now  they  ship  to  the  calcining  plant  of  the  American  Magnesite  Com- 
pany at  Porterville,  where  two  rotary  kilns  are  in  operation.  There 
are  several  other  and  smaller  operators  in  Tulare  County,  all  shipping 
crude. 

In  Santa  Clara  County,  in  the  mine  of  the  Western  Magnesite 
Development  Co.  at  Red  Mountain,  the  material  is  stoped  underground, 
calcined  in  two  vertical  kilns,  and  transported  33  miles  by  auto  trucks 
to  the  railroad  at  Livermore.  The  adjoining  property  of  the  Pacific 
Magnesite  Company  also  made  shipments.  The  Sherlock  mine  near 
Madrone  was  idle  in  1916,  but  has  since  resumed  work. 

The  Sonoma  ]Magnesite  Company  near  Cazadero,  Sonoma  County, 
extracted  its  ore  both  by  slope  and  quarry,  and  had  a  rotary  kiln  in 
operation.  Shipments  of  both  raw  and  calcined  ore  were  made,  the 
former  to  steel  mills  and  the  latter  to  the  plastic  trade.  The  Refractory 
Magnesite  Company  at  Preston  has  an  ore  which  is  an  isomorphous 
mixture  of  magnesite  and  siderite  (ferrous  carbonate),  and  burns 
brown,  carrying  up  to  6%  FCoO.,.  When  calcined  it  resembles  the 
Austrian  "spaeder,"  particularly  desired  by  the  steel  men.  A  vertical 
'kiln  is  in  operation,  and  the  product  is  hauled  two  miles  down  a  rather 
steep  road  to  the  railroad.  Shipments  of  crude  ore  were  made  from 
s.  veral  smaller  proj^erties  in  Sonoma  County  during  the  year. 

A  considerable  tonnage  was  shipped  from  the  sedimentary  deposit 
.it  Bissell,  in  Kern  County,  and  calcined  in  two  rotary  kilns  at  Los 
Angeles  before  shipment  east.  Production,  also,  was  resumed  at 
Winchester  in  Riverside  County. 

In  Napa  County  a  considerable  tonnage  was  shipped,  crude,  from 
the  White  Rock  mine  in  Pope  Valley,  also  from  the  property  of  the 
Tulare  Mining  Company  and  one  or  two  others  near  Rutherford.  For 
the  current  year,  1917.  the  White  Rock  has  5  vertical  kilns  of  10  tons 
capacity,  crude  ore  each,  per  day  in  operation,  and  they  are  contemplat- 
ing an  increase :  and  there  is  a  customs  plant  with  two  vertical  kilns  in 
operation  at  Rutherford. 

The  John  D.  Hoff  A.sbestos  Company  in  Oakland  had  two  vertical 
kilns  in  operation  on  purchased  ore  for  plastic  work,  and  are  building 
a  second  plant  with  two  kilns  at  Bay  Point,  Contra  Costa  County.  A 
calcining  plant  utilizing  the  derived  carbonic  acid  gas  is  in  operation 
in  Berkeley  on  custom  ore;  and  there  is  a  plant  at  San  Diego  burning 
magnesite  from  Lower  California,  Mexico.  To  date,  this  last-mt3ntioned 
has  not  treated  any  California  magnesite. 


70  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned,  some  production  was  made  in  , 
1916,  in  Alameda  County  at  Cedar  Mountain,  in  Fresno  at  Piedra,  and 
in  Mendocino  County, 

Uses. 

The  principal  uses  at  the  present  time  include:  refractory  linings 
for  basic  open-hearth  steel  furnaces,  copper  reverberatories  and  con- 
verters, bullion  and  other  metallurgical  furnaces;  in  the  manufacture 
of  paper  from  wood  pulp ;  and  in  structural  work,  for  flooring,  wains- 
coting, tiling,  sanitary  kitchen  and  hospital  finishing,  etc.  In  con- 
nection with  building  work  it  has  proven  particularly  efficient  as  a 
flooring  for  steel  railroad  coaches,  on  account  of  having  greater  elas- 
ticity and  resilience  than  "Portland"  cement.  For  refractory  pur- 
poses, the  magnesite  is  "dead-burned" — i.  e.,  all  or  practically  all  of 
the  CO,  is  expelled  from  it.  For  cement  purposes,  it  is  left  "caustic" — 
i.  e.,  from  5%  to  10%  of  COo  is  retained.  When  dry  caustic  magnesite 
is  mixed  with  a  solution  of  magnesium  chloride  (MgCL)  in  proper 
proportions,  a  very  strong  cement  is  produced,  known  as  oxychloride 
or  Sorel  cement. ^^  "It  is  applied  in  a  plastic  form,  *  *  *  which 
sets  in  a  few  hours  as  a  tough,  seamless  surface.  It  has  also  a  very 
strong  bonding  power,  and  will  hold  firmly  to  wood,  metal,  or  concrete 
as  a  base.  It  may  be  finished  with  a  very  smooth,  even  surface,  which^ 
will  take  a  good  wax  or  oil  polish.  As  ordinarily  mixed  there  is  added  ' 
a  certain  proportion  of  wood  flour,  cork,  asbestos,  or  other  filler,! 
thereby  adding  to  the  elastic  properties  of  the  finished  product."  Its 
surface  is  described  as  "warm"  and  "quiet"  as  a  result  of  the  elastic 
and  nonconducting  character  of  the  composite  material.  The  cement 
is  usually  colored  by  the  addition  of  some  mineral  pigment  to  the 
materials  before  mixing  as  cement. 

The  desirable  qualities  of  any  flooring  material  (cost  not  considered) 
are  listed  for  purposes  of  analysis  or  comparison  under  eighteen  heads, 
as  follows:  Cleanliness  (sanitary  qualities),  quietness,  immunity  from 
abrasion  (surface  wear),  resilience,  immunity  from  slipperiness,  appear- 
ance, waterproof  character,  plasticity,  warmth  (thermal  insulation), 
life  (immunity  from  deterioration  with  age),  acid-proof  character,  alkali- 
proof  character,  fire  resistance,  elasticity,  crushing  strength,  structural 
strength  (rupture),  immunity  from  expansion  and  contraction,  and 
lightness.  The  importance  of  these  several  qualities  varies  with  the.  vary- 
ing requirements  to  be  met :  for  instance,  in  some  places,  as  in  hospitals, 
cleanliness  is  one  of  the  prime  considerations ;  in  other  places  immunity 

'■'In  this  summary  of  the  uses  and  properties  of  magnesia  cement  we  have  drawn 
freely  from  the  following  references : 

Eng.  See.  Western  Pennsylvania  Proc,  1913,  vol.   29,  pp.  305-338,  418-444; 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mineral  Resources,   1913,  Part  II,  pp.  450-453. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  71 

from  abrasion  might  be  one  of  the  principal  requisites.  As  to  most  of 
these  qualities  the  conclusion  is  reached  that  the  magnesia  cement  affords 
one  of  the  most  satisfactory  flooring  materials  for  many  purposes  such 
as  in  kitchen,  laundry,  toilet,  and  bathrooms,  corridors,  large  rooms  or 
halls  in  public  or  other  buildings,  including  hospitals,  factories,  shops 
and  restaurants. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  material  is  steadily  coming  into  more 
general  recognition  and  favor  for  these  uses.  For  a  few  special  uses 
it  is  more  or  less  disqualified ;  as  an  instance,  it  is  not  suited  for  con- 
struction of  swimming  tanks  or  for  conditions  of  permanent  wetness, 
since  under  constant  immersion  it  gradually  softens,  although  it  is 
said  to  withstand  intermittent  wetting  and  drying  and  is  recommended 
for  shower  baths.  Naturally  it  is  not  acid-proof  and  not  wholly  alkali- 
proof,  which  might  be  a  disadvantage  in  use  for  laboratory  floors  and 
tables;  but  these  are  rather  special  requirements.  Its  cost  per  square 
foot  is  given  as  25  to  33  cents,  depending  on  area,  which  is  estimated  to 
be  lower  than  marble,  cork,  rubber,  clay  or  mosaic  tile,  slate,  or  terrazzo, 
although  more  expensive  than  wood,  asphalt,  linoleum,  or  Portland 
cement. 

In  the  discussion  of  the  subject  the  causes  of  failure  are  ascribed 
to  uncertain  climatic  changes,  lack  of  uniformity  in  the  mixtures  used, 
lack  of  care  on  the  part  of  those  handling  the  materials,  possible  deter- 
ioration of  materials  used  through  exposure  (either  before  or  after 
mixing),  lack  of  proper  preparation  of  foundations  on  which  the 
material  is  to  be  laid,  and,  as  a  very  important  factor,  experience  or 
nonexperience  in  the  manipulation  or  actual  laying  and  troweling  of  the 
material.  Data  concerning  the  percentages  of  magnesium  chloride  and 
of  ground  calcined  magnesia  and  data  concerning  the  character  and 
quantity  of  filler  and  color  added  to  the  commercial  preparations  are 
naturally  guarded  as  trade  secrets  by  the  firms  already  in  the  business. 
The  examination  and  standardization  of  the  raw  materials  usetl,  and  of 
acceptable  filler  materials,  and  the  establishment  of  standard  propor- 
tions for  the  mixtures  would  seem  to  be  about  the  only  satisfactory  way 
of  attacking  the  problem. 

The  condition  of  the  calcination  of  magnesite  for  cement  uses  is 
important,  as  the  same  material  may  undoubtedly  be  very  greatly 
varied  in  its  reacting  properties  by  differing  treatment  in  the  kiln.  It 
is  generally  agreed  that  the  magnesite  for  cement  use  must  be  com- 
paratively free  from  lime,  as  lime  has  a  greater  tendency  to  reabsorb 
water  and  carbon  dioxide  than  the  magnesia,  thereby  causing  swelling, 
and  is  therefore  not  so  permanent  in  the  completed  cement  as  a  pure 
magnesia   material.     The    fillers   used    may    constitute    10%    to    40% 


72  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OP    CALIFORNIA. 

of  the  whole  cement,  and  commonly  consist  of  ground  marble,  sand, 
sawdust,  cork,  asbestos,  or  other  materials.  As  an  example  of  the 
formulas  used  in  mixing  such  cements  the  foUoMdug  are  quoted  :^° 

Mixtures  for  the  underlying  or  coarser  layer. 

[Parts  by  weight] 

1.  15  parts  magnesia. 

10  parts  magnesium  chloride  solution,  20°  Baum6. 
10  parts  moist  sawdust. 
(Sets  in  36  hours.) 

2.  10  parts  magnesia. 

10  parts  magnesium  chloi'ide  solution,  28°  Baum<5. 
5  parts  sawdust. 

(Sets  in  16  hours.) 

3.  20  parts  magnesia. 

15  parts  magnesium  chloride  solution,  20°  Baum6. 

4  parts  ground  cork. 

(Sets  in  24  hours.) 

4.  5  parts  magnesia. 

3  parts  magnesium  chloride  solution,  20°  Baum6. 

5  parts  ashes. 

(Sets  in  24  hours.) 

Mixtures  for  overlying  or  surface  layers. 

[Parts  by  weight.] 

1.  40  parts  magnesia. 

33  parts  magnesium  chloride  solution,  10°  Baumfi. 
10  parts  asbestos  powder. 

5  parts  wood  flour. 

1  part  red  ocher. 
(Sets  in  24  hours.) 

2.  25  parts  magnesia. 

25  parts  magnesium  chloride,  21°  Baum^. 

4*  parts  wood  flour,  impregnated  with  4*  parts  Terpentinharzlosung. 
15  parts  yellow  ocher. 
(Sets  in  30  hours.) 

The  magnesite  used  is,  as  explained,  the  fine  ground  calcined  (not 
dead-burned)  of  certain  specified  kinds  or  place  of  derivation  regu- 
larly^ sold  for  the  plastic  purposes.  This  material  commonly  comes  in 
paper-lined  casks,  barrels,  or  boxes,  in  which  form  it  is  fairly  per- 
]nanent,  but  it  deteriorates  by  exposure,  absorbing  carbonic  acid  and 
moisture  from  the  air.  If  carefully  handled  it  can  probably  be  kept 
unopened  a  year  or  more,  but  it  should  be  used  within  a  few  weeks 
after  being  opened,  even  under  most  favorable  conditions. 


"Scherer,  Robert — Der  Magnesit.  sein  Vorkommen,  seine  Gewinnung  und  technlsche 
Verwertung,  pp.  216-217,  A.  Hartleben's  Bibliothek,  Wien  und  Leipzig,  1908. 


i 

i 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


73 


It  is  stated  that  some  metallic  magnesium  is  at  present  being  pre- 
pared eloctrolytically  at  Niagara  Falls,  from  magnesite  (see  also  Mag- 
nesium Chloride,  under  Salines-];o.sO- 

Output  and  Value. 

In  considering  mineral  production  the  value  of  the  crude  material 
is  used  as  far  as  practicable.  Magnesite  presents  a  peculiar  example  of 
a  material  which  previous  to  the  present  activity  was  seldom  handled 
on  the  market  in  the  crude  state.  It  is  ordinarily  calcined  and  ground 
before  being  considered  marketable.  The  value  of  the  calcined  magne- 
site varies,  the  San  Francisco  price  for  191G  ranging  from  $25  to  $45 
per  ton,  which  figure  includes  about  $4  per  ton  freight.  From  2  to  2-^- 
tons  of  the  crude  material  are  mined  to  make  one  ton  of  the  calcined. 
In  previous  reports  the  foregoing  circumstances  were  used  in  calculating 
an  arbitrary  value  for  the  crude  material  at  the  mine,  there  having 
been  very  little  product  shipped  crude.  On  a  similar  basis,  the  value 
of  the  1916  crude  would  have  been  approximately  $16  per  ton.  On  the 
contrary,  however,  considerable  tonnages  were  in  1916  shipped  in  the 
crude  state,  contracted  for  at  prices  ranging  from  $6  to  $10  per  ton, 
f.  0.  b.  rail  points,  or  an  average  of  about  $8  per  ton.  Prices  for  1917, 
are  so  far,  higher,  some  sales  having  been  made  in  June  at  $12.50 
f .  0.  b.  for  crude. 

Magnesite  products  have  been  found  to  be  highly  satisfactory  and 
are  growing  in  popularity,  and  the  future  for  this  industry  appears 
to  be  bright.  A  large  supply  is  already  known  to  exist  in  California, 
and  only  a  sufficient  demand  and  cheaper  transportation  are  lacking 
to  make  this  an  item  of  greater  consequence  in  the  mineral  total  of  the 
state. 

Production  of  crude  magnesite  for  1916,  by  county,  is  given  in  the 
following  table,  with  total  crude  value: 


County 

Ton3 

^'aIue 

Fresno                                        _                              _        _ 

5,829 
300 
90 
13,9(t0' 
23,207 
11,653 
87,606 
11,407 

$^19,082 

Mendocino             . -          ______             .    .. 

2,400 

Merced                                                  -     _ 

720 

Napa            _           -.         _                __--.-._-        ... 

108,556 

Santa  Clara                               _                      _      -        _           - 

232,156 

Sonoma _.  _        __    .    . _           -          -. 

98,280 

Tnlare         ...                .                  .  -     . 

737.130 

Alameda,  Kern,  Placer,  Riverside,  Tuolumne* 

83,569 

Totals    .        ..     ...      

154,052 

$1,311,893 

"Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  producer  in  each. 


74 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Annual  production  for  California,  amount  and  value,  since  1887,  is  I 
shown  in  the  following  tabulation : 


Tear 


Tons 


1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 


600 
600 
600 

600 
1,500 
1,500 
1,093 
1,440 
2,200 
1,500 
1,143 
1,263 
1,280 
2,252 
4.726 
2,830 


Value 


$9,000 
9.000 
9,000 
9,000 
15,000 
15,000 
10,930 
10,240 
17,000 
11,000 
13.671 
19,075 
18,480 
19,333 
43.057 
20,655 


Year 


1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

ie09 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

Totals 


Tons 


Value 


1,361 

$20,515 

2,850 

9,298 

3,933 

16,221 

4,032 

40,320 

6,405 

57,720 

10,582 

80,822 

7,942 

62,588 

16,570 

113.887 

8.858 

67.430 

10,512 

105,120 

9,632 

77,056 

11.438 

114.380 

30,721 

283,461 

154,052 

1.311.893 

304,015 

$2,610,152 

MARBLE. 
Bibliograpliy :  State  ^Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV;  Bulle- 
tin 38.     U.  S.  Bur.  of  ]\I.,  Bull.  106. 
Marble  is  widely  distributed  in  California;  and  in  a  considerable 
variety  of  colors  and  grain.     During  1916,  the  production  amounted 
to  25,954  cubic  feet,  valued  at  $50,280,  from  Inyo,  Santa  Cruz,  Tulare 
and  Tuolumne  counties.     This  shows  a  slight  increase  over  the  previous 
year,  though  still  below  what  might  be  considered  the  normal  output 
of  former  years,  and  certainly  far  below  our  possibilities. 

The  decrease  in  output  of  marble  in  recent  years  is  probably  due  in 
part  to  the  fact  that  foreign,  eastern  and  Alaskan  marbles  are  landed 
here  by  water  cheaper  than  much  of  our  local  stone  can  be  put  on  the 
market,  on  account  of  our  higher  labor  co.sts  and  transportation  diffi- 
culties, though  California  has  many  beautiful  and  serviceable  varieties. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


75 


Data  on  annual  production  since  1887,  as  compiled  by  the  State 
Mining  Bureau,  follows.  Previous  to  1894  no  records  of  amount  were 
preserved : 


Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

Year. 

Cubic  feet 

Valua 

1887 

$5,000 

5,000 

87,030 

80.000 

100.000 

115,000 

40.000 

98,326 

56,566 

32,415 

7,280 

23,594 

10,550 

5,891 

4,630 

37,616 

1903 

84.624 
55,401 
73,303 
31,400 
37,512 
18,653 
79,600 
18,960 
20,201 
27,820 
41,654 
25,436 
22,186 
25.954 

$97,354 

1888 

1904 

94,208 

1889       - 

1905                   .  _    _ 

129,450 

1890 

1906    - 

75,800 

1891        - 

1907 

118,066 

1892 

1908 

47,665 

1893       

1909 

238,400 

1894 

38,441 
14,864 
7,889 
4,102 
8,050 
9,682 
4,103 
2,945 
19,305 

1910 

50,200 

1895 

1911 

1912 

54,103 

1896 

74,120 

1897    

1913 

113,282 

1898 

1914 

48,832 

1899    

1915 

41,518 

1900 

1916 

.50,280 

1901 

Total  value 

1902 

$1,942,176 

ONYX  AND  TRAVERTINE. 
Bibliograpliy:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV;  Bulle- 
tin 38. 
Onyx  and  travertine  are  known  to  exist  in  a  number  of  places  in 
California,  but  there  has  been  no  production  reported  since  the  year 
1896. 

Production  by  years  is  as  follows : 


i 

Tear 

Value 

1887  

$900 
900 

1888  

1889  

900 

1890   

1,.500 

1891      

2,400 

1892 

1,800 

Tear 

Value 

1893   

$27,000 

1894        

20,000 

1895  

12.000 

1896          --   

24,000 

Total  . 

$91,400 

SANDSTONE. 
Bibliogrophy :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV;  Bulle- 
tin 38.    U.  S.  Bur.  of  M.,  Bull.  124.  " 
An  unlimited  amount  of  high-grade  sandstone  is  available  in  Cali- 
fornia, but  the  wide  use  of  concrete  in  buildings  of  every  character, 
as  well   as   the   popularity   of  a  lighter  colored   building  stone,   has 
retarded  this  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  very  seriously  during 
recent  years.     In  191G  six  counties — Amador,  Colusa,  San  Luis  Obispo, 


76 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Santa  Barbara,  Siskiyou,  and  Ventura — turned  out  17,270  cubic  feet, 
valued  at  $10,271,  which  is  a  considerable  drop  from  former  years. 
The  main  feature  of  the  loss  the  past  two  years  is  the  closing  of  the 
well-known  Colusa  quarries,  on  account  of  the  competition  of  lighter 
colored  materials. 

Amount  and  value,  as  far  as  contained  in  the  records  of  this  Bureau, 
are  presented  herewith,  with  total  value  from  1887  to  date : 


Year 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

Year 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

1887 

$175,000 

1903 

353,002 

$585,309 

1888 

150,000 

1904 

363,487 

567,181 

1889 

175,598 

1905 

302,813 

483,268 

1890 

100,000 

1906 

182.076 

164,068 

1891 

100,000 

1907 

159,573 

148,148 

1892 

50.000 

1908 

93,301 

55.151 

1893 

26,314 

1909 

79,240 

37,032 

1894 

113,592 

1910 

165,971 

80,443 

1895   

35,373 

1911 

255,313 

127,314 

1896 

28,379 

1912 

66,487 

22,574 

1897 

24,086 

1913 

62.227 

27.870 

1898 

46,384 

1914 

111,691 

45.322 

1899 

.  56,264 

103,384 

1915 

63,350 

8,438 

1900 

•     378,468 

254.140 

1916 

17,270 

10.271 

1901 

1902   

266,741 

..  212,123 

192,132 
142,506 

Total  value  

.*.1,079,277 

SERPENTINE. 
Bibliography :  Bulletin  38. 

Serpentine  has  not  been  produced  in  California  at  any  time,  to  a 
very  large  extent,  owing  to  defects  in  the  stone,  most  of  which  is  not  of 
good  texture. 

The  following  table  shows  the  amount  and  value  of  serpentine  since 
1895  as  recorded  by  this  Bureau: 


Tear 


Cubic  feet 


Value 


Year 


Cubic  feet 


Value 


1895 4,000 

1896 1,500 

1897 :  2,500 

1898 :  750 

1899 '  50O 

1900 I  350 

1901 !  89 

1902 512 


$4,000 
6,000 
2,500 
3.000 
2,000 
2.000 
890 
5,065 


1903 

1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 


99 
200 


$800 
2,310 


847 
1,000 


1.694 
3.000 


Totals 


12,347 


$33,259 


STATISTICS    OF    ANNUM;   PRODUCTION. 


77 


SLATE. 

J)ibIio(jr(tpliu :  BuUerm  ;}S. 

Slate  was  first  produced  in  California  in  1889.  Up  to  and  includ- 
ing 1910  such  production  was  continuous,  there  being  none  between 
that  year  and  1915,  when  there  was  an  output  of  1,000  squares  reported, 
v^alued  at  $5,000.  Many  large  deposits  are  known  in  the  state,  espe- 
cially in  El  Dorado,  Calaveras  and  Mariposa  counties,  but  the  demand 
has  been  light  owing  principally  to  competition  of  cheaper  roofing 
materials. 

The  property  of  the  Eureka  Slate  Company  in  El  Dorado  was 
in  1916  taken  over  by  the  Sierra  Slate  Corporation  of  New  York, 
and,  it  is  stated,  will  be  operated  on  a  large  scale.  This  will  be  the 
only  quarry  producing  roofing  slate,  commercially,  west  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  Eureka  roofing  slate  has  been  passed  upon  as  one  of 
three  brands  acceptable  on  Federal  work,  the  other  two  being  from 
Maine  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively. 

The  new  company  expects  to  prepare  for  market  from  1,000  to 
8, ()()()  squares  per  month.  A  "square''  of  roofing  slate  i.s  a  sufficient 
number  of  pieces  of  any  size  to  cover  100  square  feet  of  roof,  with 
allowance  generally  for  a  three-inch  lap.  The  size  of  the  pieces  of 
slate  nuiking  up  a  scjuare  ranges  from  7x9  inches  to  16  x  21  inches, 
and  the  number  of  pieces  in  a  "square"  ranges  from  85  to  686;  and 
it  is  worth  $3.50  to  $10  per  square,  f.  o.  b.  quarry,  depending  on  quality. 
The  Ferry  Building,  San  Francisco,  is  roofed  with  Eureka  slate. 

A  complete  record  of  amount  and  value  of  slate  produced  in  Cali- 
fornia follows : 


Year 


Squares 


1889 
1890 

1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 


4,500 

4,000 

4,000 

3,500 

3.000 

1,800 

1,350 

500 

400 

400 

810 

3,500 

5.100 

4,000 

10,000 


A'aliie 


$18,089 

24,000 

24,000 

21,000 

21,000 

11,700 

9,450 

2,500 

2,800 

2,800 

5,900 

26,250 

38,250 

30,000 

70.000 


Year 


1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
il911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


Squares 

Value 

6,000 

$50,000 

4,000 

40,000 

10,000 

100,000 

7,000 

60,000 

6,000 

60,000 

i    6,961 

45,660 

1,000 

8,000 

1,000 


5,000 


Totals 


88,821 


$676,399 


78  MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

MISCELLANEOUS  STONE. 
Bibliography:    State     Mineralogist    Reports    XII,     XIII,    XIV. 
Bulletin  38. 

Miscellaneous  stone  is  the  name  used  throughout  this  report  as  the 
title  for  that  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  covering  crushed  rock  of 
all  kinds,  paving  blocks,  sand  and  gravel,  and  pebbles  for  grinding 
mills.  The  foregoing  are  very  closely  related  from  the  standpoint  of 
the  producer.  Thus  it  has  been  found  to  be  most  satisfactory  to  group 
these  items  as  has  been  done  in  recent  reports  of  this  Bureau.  In  so 
far  as  it  has  been  possible  to  do  so,  crushed  rock  production  has  been 
subdivided  into  the  various  uses  to  which  the  product  was  put.  It  will 
be  noted,  however,  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  output  has  been 
tabulated  under  the  heading  ''Unclassified."  This  is  necessary  because 
of  the  fact  that  many  of  the  producers  have  no  way  of  telling  to  what 
specific  use  their  rock  was  put  after  they  have  quarried  and  sold  the 
same. 

In  addition  to  amounts  produced  by  commercial  firms,  both  cor- 
porations and  individuals,  there  is  hardly  a  county  in  the  state  but 
uses  more  or  less  gravel  and  broken  rock  on  its  roads.  Of  much  of 
this,  particularly  in  the  country  districts,  there  is  no  definite  record 
kept.  Estimates  have  been  made  for  some  of  this  output,  based  on 
the  mileage  of  roads  repaired. 

For  the  year  1916,  miscellaneous  stone  shows  a  decrease  from  the 
preceding  year  of  $611,661  in  value.  Apparently  construction  work 
has  not  entirely  recovered  from  the  slump  in  1914.  The  total  value 
for  1916  was  $4,171,519  as  compared  with  $4,783,180  for  1915,  with 
$4,231,571  for  1914,  and  $5,186,743  for  1913. 

As  has  been  the  case  for  several  years  past,  Los  Angeles  County  led 
all  others  by  a  wide  margin,  with  an  output  valued  at  $971,153;  fol- 
lowed by  Alameda,  second,  with  $403,587 ;  Contra  Costa,  third,  $363,753 ; 
and  Sonoma,  fourth,  $254,966. 

In  California,  the  general  construction  situation  in  1916  appeared 
about  normal  so  far  as  small  jobs  were  concerned;  but  there  were  few 
large  pieces  of  work  done  except  highway  contracts. 

Paving    Blocks. 

The  paving  block  industry  has  decreased  materially  of  recent  years, 
because  of  the  increased  construction  of  smoother  pavements  demanded 
by  motor  vehicle  traffic.  The  blocks  made  in  Solano  County  were  of 
basalt;  those  from  Sonoma  are  of  basalt,  andesite  and  some  trachyte; 
while  those  from  all  the  other  counties  shown  in  the  tabulation,  are  of 
granite. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAIi   PRODUCTION. 
Paving    Block   Production,   by  Counties,  for  1916. 


79 


County 


Amount  M. 


Value 


IMacer    

Riverside  

Sonoma    

Sacramento,  San  Bernardino,  San  Diego* 

Totals   


367 

172 

693 

90 


$12,010 

6.743 

31.509 

4,100 


1,322 


$54,362 


♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  single  operator  in  each. 

The  amount  and  value  of  paving  block  production  annually  since 
1887  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 


Amount 
M. 


Value 


Tear 


Amount 
M. 


Value 


1887  no.ooo 

1888  10.500 

1889  7.303 

1890  7.000 

1891  5,C0O 

1892  *3.000 

1893  .: 2,770 

1894  2,517 

1895  2,332 

1896  4,161 

1897  1,711 

1898  1,144 

1899  305 

1900  1,192 

1901  1,920 

1902  3,502 


$350,000 

367,500 

297,236 

245,000 

150.000 

96,000 

96,9.50 

66.981 

73.338 

77.584 

35,235 

21,725 

7,861 

23.775 

41,075 

112,437 


1903    

1904    

1905    

19C6    

1907    

1908    

1909    

1910    

1911    

1912    

1913    

'914    

1915    

1916    

Totals 


4,854 
3,977 
3,408 
4,203 
4,604 
7.660 
4.503 
4,434 
4,141 
11,018 
6.364 
6.053 
3,285 
1,322 


$134,642 
161,752 
134.347 
173.432 
199.347 
334.780 
199.803 
198.916 
210.819 
578.355 
363.505 
270.598 
171.092 
54.362 


134,183      $5,248,447 


♦Figures  for  1887-1892  (inc.)  are  for  Sonoma  County  only,  as  none  are  available 
for  other  counties  during  that  period  ;  though  Solano  County  quarries  were  then  also 
quite  active. 

Grinding   IVIiii  Pebbles. 

In  1915,  for  the  first  time  we  were  able  to  record  a  production  of 
pebbles  for  tube  and  other  grinding  mills.  Owing  to  the  decreased 
imports  and  higher  prices  of  Belgium  and  other  European  flint  pebbles, 
there  has  been  a  serious  inquiry  for  domestic  sources  of  supply. 

One  of  the  shipments  made  in  that  year  was  of  pebbles  selected  from 
gold  dredger  tailings  in  Sacramento  County,  for  use  in  a  gold  mill  in 
Amador  County  employing  Hardinge  mills.  It  is  stated  that  the  con- 
sumption was  about  3  to  1  as  compared  to  Danish  pebbles;"  and  that 
the  long  wagon  haul,  coupled  with  the  heavy  consumption,  made  the 
cost  not  economic.  Had  the  pebbles  been  selected  by  men  with  some 
knowledge  of  rocks  instead  of  by  inexperienced  laborers  as  in  this  case, 
a  better  grade  would  have  been  obtained,  which  no  doubt  would  have 
proven  of  better  service. 


80 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OP    CAIjIPORNIA. 


The  important  development  in  this  item,  however,  has  been  in  San 
J)iego  County.  At  several  points  along  the  ocean  shore  from  Encinitas 
south  to  near  San  Diego,  there  are  beaches  of  washed  pebbles  varjdng 
from  1  inch  to  6  inches  in  diameter.  At  one  of  these  localities  visited 
by  the  writer  in  May,  191B,  there  is  a  conglomerate  stratum  forming 
a  part  of  the  sea-cliff.  This  conglomerate  is  made  up  of  well-rounded 
w^ater-worn  pebbles  of  various  granitic  and  ])orphyritic  rocks  with  some 
fel.site  and  tlint.  The  wave  action  has  broken  down  i)ortions  of  the 
cliff.s   for   oonsidcrjiblc    distances   and    formed    beaches   of   the   pebbles 


Grinding  mill  pebbles,   on  beach  at   Bird   Rock,   near   San   Diego,    California. 

which  are  well  washed  and  cleaned  of  the  softer  materials.  The  rocks 
sorted  out  for  shipment  are  mainly  basalt  and  diabase,  with  an  occa- 
sional felsite  and  flint  pebble.  There  is  a  tough,  black  basalt  which  is 
stated  to  be  giving  satisfactory  results.  The  Fresno  County  pebbles 
are  selected  from  the  gravel  beds  near  Friant.  Shipments  are  being 
made  to  metallurgical  plants  in  California,  Nevada,  Montana  and 
Utah. 

Grinding    Mill    Pebbles   Production,   for   1916. 


County 


Fresno  and  San  Diego*. 


Tons 


Value 


20,232 


$107,567 


"Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  producer  in  Fresno  County. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  81 

The  amount  and  value  of  grinding  mill  pebbles,  annually,  follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

1915          — 

340 

20,232 

.$2,810 

1916 

107,.")67 

Totals    ..    — 

20,572 

$110,377 

Sand  and  Gravel  Production,  by  Counties,  for  1916. 


County 

Tons 

Value        i 

County 

Tons 

Value 

Alameda    ..    

^645,979 

1.000 

7,690 

2,2C0 

114,223 

2,200 

16,000 

165,118 

540,329 

31,802 

4,290 

10,000 

3.335 

1,405,800 

13,.333 

1,000 

1,100 

113,645 

113,501 

2,100 

21,516 

38,800 

$176,739 

300 

1,922 

550 

41,810 

800 

5.500 

63,023 

41.180 

30.891 

4.290 

4,000 

1.3.50 

322.919 

6,250 

250 

275 

46.873 

60.275 

Sacramento 

San  Benito  

San  Bernardino  __- 
San  Diego         

138,108 

3,660 

30,049 

^58,183 

88,247 

23,192 

1.5,467 

179,582 

7,484 

500 

154,156 

32,505 

51,147 

2.000 

237,072 

290,163 

$36,404 

Amador    _        _     

1,250 

Calaveras 

7.059 

Colusa 

33,008 

Contra  Costa   

Del  Norte    .    

San  Joaquin 

San  Luis  Obispo-.. 

Santa  Barbara  

Santa  Clara  

Siskivou    _  -_    

37.300 
9,318 

El  Dorado      

6,300 

Fresno    .    

58,896 

Glenn 

2,207 

Humboldt 

Solano 

200 

Inyo    _  -- 

Sonoma    ..    _ 

25.962 

Lake 

Stanislaus 

9.937 

Lassen 

Tulare        _. 

10,288 

Los  Angeles  

Madera 

Tuolumne   

Yuba    .          

500 
42,685 

Marin      _  .     .        

Butte,     Kern,     San 
Francisco,     San 
Mateo,      Tehama, 
Trinity.  Ventura* 

Mendocino          

1 

Monterey    

Napa         --  -- - 

42,764 

Nevada  

Orange   .      -.      

525 

3.773           Totals  

19.200 

4,566,476 

$1,156,773 

Riverside    

♦Combined   to   conceal  output  of  a   single   operator  in  each. 

'Includes  moulding  sand. 

'Includes  sand  for  asphalt  finishing ;   also  moulding  sand. 


6—31821 


82 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


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STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


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84 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


A  comparison  of  the  table  of  annual  productions  of  these  materials 
with  the  similar  table  for  cement  (see  ante),  reveals  the  fact  that  the 
important  growth  of  the  crushed  rock  and  gravel  business  was  coin- 
cident with  the  rapid  development  of  the  cement  industry  from  the 
year  1902. 

The  amount  and  value,  annually,  of  crushed  rock  (including 
macadam,  ballast,  rubble,  rip-rap,  and  that  for  concrete),  and  sand 
and  gravel,  since  1893,  follow: 

Crushed    Rock,    Sand    and    Gravel,    by   Years. 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1893    

371,100 

$456,075 

1894    

661,900 

6&i,838 

1895   

1,254,688 

1.095,939 

1896    

960,619 

839,884 

1897       

821,123 

600,112 

1898    

1,177,365 

814,477 

1899   

964,898 

786,892 

1900   

789.287 

561,642 

1901    

530,396 

641,037 

1902    

2,056,015 

1,249,529 

1903    

2,215,625 

1,673,591 

1904    

2,296,898 

1,641,877 

1905   

2,624,257 

1,716,770 

Year 


Tons 


Value 


19C6  '  1,555,372 

1907  2,288,888 

1908  3.998.945 

1909  5.531.561 

1910  5,827,828 

1911  6,487,223 

1912  8,044,937 

1913  9,817,616 

1914  9,288,397 

1915  10,879,497 

1916  i  9.951,089 

Totals    90,395,524 


$1,418,406 
1,915,015 
3,241,774 
2,708,326 
2,777,690 
3,610,357 
4.532,598 
4,823,056 
3,960,973 
4,609.278 
4,009,590 


$50,349,726 


Total   Value   of   Production    of   "Miscellaneous   Stone"    (Crushed    Rock,   Sand.   Gravel, 
Paving    Blocks  and  Grinding   Mill   Pebbles),   by  Counties,  for  1916. 


County 


Value 


County 


Value 


Alameda    

Amador    

Butte   

Calaveras    

Colusa 

Contra   Costa 

Del  Norte 

El   Dorado   ... 

Fresno    

Glenn    

Humboldt   

Imperial    

Inyo    

Kern    

Lake   

Lassen    

Los   Angeles   . 

Madera    

Marin   

Mariposa   

Mendocino    _.. 

Modoc    

Monterey    

Napa  

Nevada    

Orange    

Placer   

Plumas    


$403,587 

1,300 
67,892 

2,503 

550 

363,753 

1,685 
12,000 
95,830 
41,180 
60,260 
34,834 
23,040 
63,723 

4,500 

9,725 
971,153 

7,915 

104,306 

39,372 

8.275 

200 

58.623 

88.441 

1,225 

3,773 
17,026 

1,988 


Riverside   

Sacramento    

San  Benito 

San  Bernardino  . 

San  Diego  

San  Francisco  .. 

San  Joaquin  

San  Luis  Obispo 

San  Mateo  

Santa  Barbara  _ 

Santa  Clara  

Santa  Cruz  

Shasta  

Siskiyou  

Solano  

Sonoma  

Stanislaus    

Sutter    

Tehama  

Trinity    

Tulare   

Tuolumne    

Ventura    

Tolo 

Tuba  

Total    


$159,555 

194,718 

155,250 

172,454 

163,925 

76,437 

53,075 

49,318 

25,663 

12.395 

111.974 

2.815] 

45,407 
49,7111 
232,113 
17,78 

6,45 
11,076 

1,0C 
82,255 

1,5C 
14,20 

42,68 


1,171,519 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION,  85 


CHAPTER  FIVE. 

INDUSTRIAL  MATERIALS. 

Bibliography:  Bulletin  38.     Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  114,  Mar.  10, 
1917. 

,.  The  following  mineral  substances  have  been  arbitrarily  arranged 
under  the  general  heading  of  "Industrial  Materials,"  as  distinguished 
from  those  which  have  a  clearly  defined  classification,  such  as  metals, 
salines,  structural  materials,  etc. 

These  materials,  many  of  which  are  mineral  earths,  are  as  yet  pro- 
duced on  a  comparatively  small  scale.  With  but  few  exceptions  the 
possibilities  of  development  along  these  lines  are  practically  unlimited ; 
and  with  increasing  transportation,  and  other  facilities,  together  with 
a  steadily  growing  demand,  the  future  for  this  branch  of  the  mineral 
industry  in  California  is  certainly  promising.  There  is  scarcely  a 
county  in  the  state  but  might  contribute  to  the  output. 

Up  to  within  the  last  two  years,  at  least,  production  has  been  in  the 
majority  of  instances  dependent  upon  more  or  less  of  a  strictly  local 
market,  and  the  annual  tables  show  the  results  of  such  a  condition,  not 
only  in  the  widely  varying  amounts  of  a  certain  material  produced  from 
year  to  year,  but  in  widely  varying  prices  of  the  same  material,  often, 
in  different  sections  of  the  state.  Furthermore,  the  quality  of  this 
general  class  of  material  will  be  found  to  fluctuate,  even  in  the  same 
deposit,  especially  as  regards  price.  The  war  in  Europe  has  affected 
some  of  these  items,  but  not  to  the  striking  degree  that  it  has  the  metal 
markets. 


86 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  following  summary  shows  the  value  of  the  industrial  materials 
produced  in  California  during  the  years  1915-1916,  with  increase  or 
decrease  in  each  instance: 


Substance 


1915 


Amount 


Asbestos     --- 

Barytes     

Clay— pottery    

Dolomite     

Feldspar    

Puller's   earth   

Gems    

Graphite    

Gypsum   

Infusorial  and  diatomaceous 

earths    _. 

Limestone    

I.ithia     

Mineral  i)aint 

Mineral  water 

Pumics  and  volcanic  ash 

Pyrite   

Silica— sand  and  quartz 

Soapstone   and   talc 

Strontium  


Totals    - 

Net   increase 


143  tons 

410  tons 

157,863  tons 

4,192  tons 

1,800  tons 

692  tons 


20,200  tons 

12, 400' tons 

148,324  tons 

91  tons 

311  tons 

2,274,287  gals. 

380  tons 

92.4f52  tons 

28.904  tons 

1,6">3  tons 


Value 


1916 


Amount 


$2,860 

620 

133,724 

14,504 

9,000 

4.002 

3,. '565 


48,953 

62,000 

156,288 

1,365 

1,756 

467,738 

6400 

293,148 

34,322 

14,750 


$1,254,995 


145  tons 

1.606  tons 

134,636  tons 

13,313  tons 

2,630  tons 

110  tons 


29,190  lbs. 
33,384  tons 

15,322  tons 

187,521  tons 

71  tons 

613  tons 

2,273  817  gals. 

1,246  tons 

120,.525  tons 

20.880  tons 

1,703  tons 

57  tons 


Value 


$2,380 
5.516 

iie.s.'^s 

45,563 

14,.3.50 

550 

4,752 

2,335 

59,533 

80,649 

217,733 

1.06'> 

3,960 

410,112 

18.092 

372,969 

48,908 

9,831 

2,850 

$1,448,689 


Increase  4- 

Decrease — 

Value 


$480- 
4.896 -^- 
12.814^- 
32,062  + 
5,.'?.')0  + 
3.4.'52— 
1.187  + 
2,.335  + 
10,.'i80  + 

18,649  + 

01,445  + 

300— 

2.201  + 

57,626- 

11.692  + 

79  821  + 

14..586J- 

4.919— 

2  8.j0  + 


$193,694  + 


ASBESTOS. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV.    Bulle- 
tin 38.     Canadian  Dept.  of  M.,  Mines  Branch,  Bull.  69. 

Though  asbestos  of  various  grades  is  known  to  exist  widely  distrib- 
uted in  California,  the  production  for  the  year  1916  was  145  tons  valued 
at  $2,380.  This  was  principally  amphibole  with  some  chrysotile,  from 
Shasta  Count}^  and  a  small  amount  of  chrysotile  from  Calaveras.  For 
the  current  year,  1917,  there  is  promise  of  production  of  chrysotile 
from  a  new  deposit  of  good  grade  from  Nevada  County.  One  firm  has 
a  grinding  and  fiberizing  plant  in  Oakland,  and  is  manufacturing  a 
series  of  products  in  which  both  asbestos  and  magnesite  play  a  part. 
These  include  steam  pipe  covering,  composition  flooring,  and  plaster 
for  stucco  work.  The  outlook  is  for  a  decided  increase  in  the  output 
of  these  materials  during  the  coming  year. 

The  real  history  of  the  development  and  use  of  asbestos  dates  back 
only  about  sixty  years.  Since  that  time  the  investigation  as  to  its 
occurrence,  uses,  and  methods  of  treatment  has  been  continuous,  and 
its  application  to  everyday  life  has  grown  with  wonderful  rapidity. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  87 

The  first  mill  built  to  handle  the  crude  ore  and  extract  the  fibre  on  a 
large  scale  by  machinery  was  constructed  in  1888. 

The  first  production  of  asbestos  in  California  was  in  1887,  when 
30  tons  were  mined,  having  a  crude  value  of  $60  per  ton,  according  to 
the  State  Mining  Bureau  reports. 

The  bulk  of  the  world's  supply  of  this  mineral  today  comes  from 
Canada;  and  Canadian  asbestos,  so  far,  leads  in  quality  as  well  as  in 
quantity. 

Classification   and  Characteristics. 

The  word  "asbestos"  (derived  from  the  Greek  meanmg  incom- 
bustible) as  used  here  includes  several  minerals,  from  a  strictly  mineral- 
ogical  standpoint.  There  are  two  main  divisions,  however;  amphi- 
bole  and  chrysotile.  The  fibrous  varieties  of  several  of  the  amphiboles 
(silicates  chiefly  of  lime,  magnesia  and  iron),  notably  tremolite  and 
actinolite,  are  called  asbestos.  Their  fibres  usually  lie  parallel  to  the 
fissures  containing  them.  Amphibole  asbestos  possesses  high  refrac- 
tory properties,  but  lacks  strength  of  fibre,  and  is  applicable  principally 
for  covering  steam  pipes  and  boilers.  Chrysotile,  a  hydrous  silicate  of 
magnesia,  is  a  fibrous  form  of  serpentine,  and  often  of  silky  fineness. 
Its  fibres  are  formed  at  right  angles  to  the  direction  of  the  fissures  con- 
taining them.  Chrysotile  fibres,  though  short,  have  considerable 
strength  and  elasticity,  and  may  be  spun  into  threads  and  woven  into 
cloth. 

To  bring  the  highest  market  price  asbestos  must  needs  have  a  com- 
bination of  properties,  i.  e.,  length  and  fineness  of  fibre,  tensile  strength 
and  flexibility — all  combined  with  infusibility.  Of  these  qualities  the 
most  important  are  toughness  and  infusibility,  and  determination  of 
the  same  can  only  be  made  by  practical  tests  or  in  the  laboratory. 
Given  several  specimens  of  the  same  tensile  strength  and  degree  of 
infusibility,  the  one  having  the  longest  fibre  will,  of  course,  be  of  the 
greatest  value.  It  must  be  kept  in  mind,  however,  that  length  of  fibre 
alone,  the  characteristic  which  most  naturally  appeals  to  the  eye,  is  not 
the  final  test  in  regard  to  the  commercial  value  of  the  find;  and  much 
short  fibre  asbestos,  which  on  first  appearance  is  of  inferior  grade,  is 
being  sold  and  profitably  handled  at  the  present  time. 

The  largest  Canadian  asbestos  deposits  are  worked  as  open  quarries 
where  the  ore  is  roughly  sorted  before  being  sent  to  the  mill  to  be 
dressed  for  the  market.  This  method  has  been  found  to  be  cheaper 
and  more  satisfactory  in  every  way. 


88  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 

The  milling  of  asbestos  ore,  while  more  or  less  complicated  in  actual 
practice,  is  easy  to  understand  and  has  one  well-defined  object  in  view; 
That  is,  the  complete  eradication  of  all  foreign  rock  ingredients  and 
the  thorough  cleaning  and  separation  of  the  fibres. 

Asbestos,  roughly  speaking,  was  worth  from  $20  to  $200  per  ton, 
before  the  war.  Under  the  stimulus  of  war  conditions,  the  demand 
has  caused  a  material  increase  in  prices.  The  poorer  grades  which 
are  unsuitable  for  weaving,  and  which,  of  course,  command  the  lower 
prices,  are  used  in  the  manufacture  of  steam  packing,  furnace  linings, 
asbestos  brick,  wall  plasters,  paints,  tilings,  asbestos  board,  shingles, 
insulating  material,  etc.  The  better  grades  are  utilized  in  the  manu- 
facture of  tapestries  of  various  kinds,  fireproof  theater  curtains,  cloth, 
rope,  etc. 

A  very  important  development  of  the  asbestos  industry  is  the  rapidly 
increasing  demand  for  the  lower  grade  material,  on  account  of  the 
numerous  diversified  uses  to  which  asbestos  products  are  being  put,  in 
almost  every  branch  of  manufacture.  This  fact  means  that  many 
deposits  of  asbestos  will  become  commercially  important  even  though 
the  grade  of  the  material  is  far  from  the  best. 

It  has  been  discovered  only  recently  that  not  only  does  an  asbestos 
wall  plaster  render  the  wall  so  covered  impervious  to  heat,  but  that  in 
rooms  which  have  given  forth  an  undesirable  echo  this  evil  has  been 
absolutely  removed.  Asbestos  pulp  mixed  with  cement  and  magnesite 
has  been  experimented  with;  and  roofing,  flooring,  and  other  building 
material  of  the  most  satisfactory  sort  has  been  manufactured  therefrom. 

Value  and  Production. 

The  value  of  the  domestic  production  of  asbestos  has  averaged  around 
$43,000  annually,  the  past  ten  years,  except  1911,  which  was  approxi- 
mately $120,000.  In  1916,  according  to  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey, 
this  increased  to  1,479  tons  Avorth  $448,214.  The  imports,  largely  from 
Canada,  for  1916  amounted  to  116,162  tons  valued  at  $3,303,470.  This 
value  is  for  crude  material ;  adding  the  imported  manufactured  asbestos 
articles  the  figure  amounts  to  $3,438,534. 

With  the  field  for  development  along  these  lines  which  is  open  in 
California,  it  seems  almost  certain  that  some  time  in  the  future  will 
see  this  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  adding  an  important  share  to 
the  total  of  the  wealth  and  productiveness  of  this  state. 

Total  amount  and  value  of  asbestos  production  in  California  since 
1887,  as  given  in  the  records  of  this  Bureau,  are  as  follows: 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


89 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1887                     .  - 

30 
30 

30 
71 
66 
30 
50 
50 
25 

$1,800 
1.800 
1.800 
4,260 
3,960 
1,830 
2,500 
2,250 
1,000 

1903 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1904 

1905 

1906    

10 

112 

70 

70 

70 

65 

200 

125 

90 

47 

51 

143 

145 

$162 
2,625 
3,500 

1891       -  -         -      ... 

1907 

3,500 

1892 

1908    

6,100 

1893 

1894 

1895    

1909 

i  1910  

1911        

6,500 

20,000 

500 

1896    

1912 

2,700 

1897 '--     - 

1913    

1,175 

1898 

10 
30 

50 
110 

200 

750 

1,250 

4,400 

1914 

1,530 

1899    

1915    

2,860 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1916 

Totals    

1 

2.r-f80 

1,780 

$81,332 

i 

i 


BARYTES. 
Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Eeports  XII,  XIV.     Bulletin  38. 

The  output  of  crude  barytes  during  1916  was  1,606  tons,  valued  at 
$5,516,  from  Mariposa  and  Monterey  counties,  as  compared  with  the 
1915  production  of  410  tons,  worth  $620.  This  mineral  is  ordinarily 
sorted  and  ground  before  being  put  on  the  market,  and  in  this  prepared 
condition  brings  from  $10  to  $15  per  ton.  The  principal  use  of  barytes 
is  in  the  paint  industry.  Minor  uses  are  in  tanning  of  leather,  manu- 
facture of  paper  and  rope,  and  sugar  refining.  A  grinding  and  chemi- 
cal plant  is  in  operation  at  Melrose,  Alameda  County,  making  a 
specialty  of  barium  compounds ;  and  another  at  South  San  Francisco. 

Known  occurrences  of  this  mineral  in  California  are  located  in  Inyo, 
Los  Angeles,  Mariposa,  Monterey,  San  Bernardino,  and  Santa  Barbara 
counties.  The  deposit  at  El  Portal,  in  Mariposa  County,  has  given  the 
largest  commercial  production  to  date.  The  tonnage  above  recorded  is 
in  part,  witherite  (barium  carbonate,  BaCOg)  from  El  Portal.  The 
1915  output  was  the  first  commercial  production  of  the  carbonate  in 
the  United  States,  of  which  we  have  record.  The  El  Portal  witherite 
and  barite  are  both  high  grade.  In  1916,  output  began  from  a  new 
deposit  being  opened  up  on  Fremont's  Peak,  Monterey  County,  near  the 
line  of  San  Benito  County. 

The  first  recorded  production  of  barytes  in  California,  according  to 
the  statistical  reports  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  was  in  1910.  The 
annual  figures  are  as  follows : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value                               Year 

1 

Tons 

Value 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1918 

1914 

860 

309 

564 

1,600 

2,000 

$5,640 
2,207 
2,812 
3.680 
3,000 

1915 

1916 

Totals    

410 

1,606 

$620 
5,516 

7.349 

$23,475 

90 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


CLAY— POTTERY. 
Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  I,  IV,  IX,  XII,  XIII, 
XIV.     Bulletin  38. 

At  one  time  or  another  in  the  history  of  the  state,  pottery  clay  has 
been  quarried  in  thirty-three  of  its  counties.  In  this  report  "pottery 
clay"  refers  to  all  clays  used  in  the  manufacture  of  red  and  brown 
earthenware,  flower  pots,  ornamental  tiling,  architectural  terra  cotta, 
sewer  pipe,  etc.,  and  the  figures  for  amount  and  value  are  relative 
to  the  crude  material  at  the  pit,  without  reference  to  whether  the 
clay  was  sold  in  the  crude  form,  or  whether  it  was  immediately  used  in 
the  manufacture  of  any  of  the  above  finished  products  by  the  producer. 
It  does  not  include  clay  used  in  making  brick  and  building  blocks. 

During  1916  producers  in  15  counties  reported  an  output  of  184,63(5 
tons  of  cla.y,  having  a  spot  value  of  $146,538  for  the  crude  material,  at 
the  pits,  as  compared  with  the  1915  production  of  157,866  tons  wortb 
$133,141. 

A  tabulation  of  the  direct  returns  from  the  producers,  by  counties, 
for  the  year  1916,  is  shown  herewith: 


County 

Ton3 

Value 

Used  In  manufacture  of — 

Alamoda 

4,060 

$2,750 

Sewer  ])ipe,  roofing  tile. 

Amador 

'29,246 

31.10f5 

Fire-clay  products,  sewer  and  chimney 

pipe,      architectural      terra      cotta, 

jtorcelain,   stoneware,   pottery,   sani- 

tary ware. 

Los  Angeles  

=6,233 

10,549 

Terra  cotta,  sewer  pipe,  chinuiey  pipe, 
roofing   tile. 

I'hieer   

29.018 

36,230 

Terra  cotta.  roofing  et  al.  tile,  sewer 
and  chimney  pipe,  architectural 
terra  cotta,  sanitary  ware. 

Kix'cisidc    

r>6.228 

56,090' 

Sewer  piiie,  pottery,  terra  cotta,  etc. 

San    Diego       .     .  .  . 

■^283 
^593 

2,024 

613 

732 

2.293 

.^rt  iiottery  and  tile. 

San  Mateo 

Vai  ions. 

Santa  Clara  

Plower  pots,  chimney  pipe. 

Contra  Costa,  Fres- 

6,951 

6,175 

Chimney     and     vitrified     sewer     pipe, 

no,   Kern,   Orange, 

stoneware,     porcelain,     drain,     roof, 

Sacramento,      San 

floor  and  faience  tile. 

Luis  Obispo,  Ven- 

tura.* 

Totals    

134,636 

$146,538 

♦Combined   to   conceal  output  of  a   single  operator  in  each. 
'Includes  kaolin;   also   "fire   sand"   used   in   making  fire  brick. 
"Includes  modeling  clay;   also  gi'oimd  brick  and  clay.  • 

'Includes  crushed  tile  and  brick. 
^Includes  modeling  clay. 


Because  of  the  fact  that  a  given  product  often  requires  a  mixture  of 
several  different  clays,  and  that  these  are  not  all  found  in  the  same  pit. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


91 


it  is  necessary  for  most  clay-working  plants  to  buy  some  part  of 
their  raw  materials  from  other  localities.  For  these  reasons,  in  com- 
piling the  clay  industry  figures,  much  care  is  required  to  avoid  dupli- 
cations.    The  new  form  of  clay  blank  sent  out  by  the  State  Mining 


Capital  National  Bank  Building,  Sacramento,  finished  with  architectural  terra 
cotta  from  Steiger  Terra  Cotta  &  Pottery  Works.  Clay  from  pits  in 
Amador    and    San    Mateo    counties. 

Bureau,  this  year,  and  the  cooperation  of  the  operatives  in  filling  it 
out,  has  enabled  us  to  make  a  more  intelligent  compilation  of  the  data 
than  heretofore,  both  as  to  sources  of  the  crude  material  and  as  to 
kinds  and  values  of  the  manufactured  articles.  So  far  as  we  have  been 
able  to  segregate  them,  we  have  credited  the  clay  output  to  the  counties 
from  which  the  raw  material  originated. 


92 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OP   CALIFORNIA. 


The  values  of  the  various  pottery  clay  products  made  in  California 
during  1916,  totaled  $1,844,474,  their  distribution  being  shown  in  the 
following  tabulation : 


Values   of   Pottery   Clay   Products,    1916. 


Product 


Value 


Architectural  terra  cotta 

Chimney  pipe  and  flue  linings 

Drain  tile  

Roofing   tile   

Sanitary  ware 

Sewer  pipe  

Stoneware  and  red  earthenware 

Miscellaneous— including  art  pottery,  floor  and  faience  tile,  conduit 
ducts,  lead  corroding  pots,  chemical  ware,  gas  logs,  fire  clay  ware, 
A'ases  and  garden  furniture 


$341,60 
51,191 
108,260 
129,945 ! 
332,029 ' 
702,351  ] 
74,872 1 


104,220  I 


Total   $1,844,4741 


Amount  and  value  of  crude  pottery  clay  output  in  California  since 
1887  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

75,000 
75,000 
75,000 
100,000 
100,000 
100,000 
24,856 
28,475 
37,660 
41,907 
24.592 
28,947 
40,600 
59,636 
55,679 
67,933 

$37,500 
37,.5O0 
37,500 
50,000 
50,OCO 
.50,000 
67.284 
35.073 
39.685 
62.900 
30,290 
33,747 
42,700 
60,956 
39,144 
74,163 

1903 

90,972 
84,149 
■  133,805 
167,267 
160,385 
208,042 
299,424 
249,028 
224,576 
199,605 
231,179 
179,948 
157,866 
134,636 

$99,907 

1888 

1  1904  . 

81,952 

1889 

1905  

130,146 

1890 

'  1906 

162,283 

1891 „- 

1907  -- 

254,454 

1892 

1908 -  -  .  -_. 

325,147 

1SP3 

1909 

465,647 

1S94  

1910   

324,099 

18P5 

i  1911 

252,759 

1896  . 

i  1912   .  _   „_  .. 

215,683 

1897 

1913 

261.273 

1898   _. 

1914 

167,552 

1809 

1 1915  

133,724 

1900   - 

1916  

146,538 

1901 

Totals — 

1902 

3,456,167 

$3,769,606 

DOLOMITE. 

Bihliograpliy :  Bulletin  67. 

In  the  1915  report,  dolomite  was  for  the  first  time  made  the  subject 
of  a  separate  classification.  Previously  it  had  been  included  under 
limestone.  Limestones  are  frequently  more  or  less  magnesian-bearing, 
and  a  chemical  anal^^sis  is  often  necessary  to  definitely  decide  as  to 
whether  they  are  calcite  or  dolomite;  the  latter  standing  intermediate 
between  magnesite    (MgCOs)    and  calcite    (CaCOs).     Since  dolomite, 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


^6 


as  such,  has  been  found  to  liave  certain  distinctive  applications,  we 
have  deemed  it  worthy  of  a  separate  classification. 

The  major  portion  of  the  tonnage  shipped  in  1915  and  1916  was 
utilized  as  a  refractory  lining  in  open-hearth  steel  furnaces,  as  a 
partial  substitute  for  magnesite.  A  portion  was  used  for  its  carbonic 
acid  gas  (COo),  and  part  for  its  magnesia.  We  are  also  informed  that 
one  company  with  quarries  in  San  Benito  and  Monterey  counties  pro- 
poses to  furnish  calcined  dolomite  to  the  paper  mills.  As  this  dolomite 
has  been  found  to  contain  the  proper  proportions  of  lime  and  magnesia, 
it  could  replace  an  artificial  mixture  of  calcined  limestone  and  magne- 
site in  the  manufacture  of  paper  from  wcod  pulp.  Dolomite  is  also 
sometimes  used  as  a  flux  in  metal  smelting. 

The  production  of  dolomite  for  the  year  1916  amounted  to  l;i;^13 
tons,  valued  at  $16,566,  and  came  f r(  ni  a  total  of  six  quarrie.s  in  four 
counties  distributed  as  follows : 


County 

Tona 

Value 

Inyo    . . ..    ..  _ 

3,596 
8,100 
1,617 

$14,700 

San  Benito  -_--__-_      .      _.. . 

25,515 

San  Bernardino  and  Tuolumne* 

6.351 

Totals    _        

13,313 

$46,566 

*Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Amount  and  value  of  the  output  of  dolomite,  annually,  have  been  as 
follows  : 


Tear 


Tons 


Value 


1915  4,192  !  $14,504 

1916  13,313  '  46,566 

Totals   17,505  $61,070 


FELDSPAR. 

Bihliographij:  Bulletin  67.  U.  S.  Bur.  of  M.,  Bull.  92. 
Feldspar  was  produced  by  one  operator  each  in  Kern,  Monterey, 
Riverside,  San  Bernardino  and  Tulare  counties  during  1916,  to  the 
amount  of  2,630  tons,  valued  at  $14,350.  Feldspar  production  only 
dates  back  to  1910  in  this  state.  The  mineral  is  a  constituent  of  many 
rocks,  but  can  only  be  commercially  produced  from  pegmatites  where 
the  crystals  are  large  and  quite  free  from  impurities.  The  open  cut 
method  of  mining  this  material  is  commonly  used.     Manufacturers  of 


94 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


enamel  wares  and  pottery  buy  most  of  the  better  grades  of  feldspar 
produced.  Small  quantities  are  used  in  the  manufacture  of  glass  and 
scouring  soaps,  and  the  more  impure  material  is  utilized  as  ''chicken 
grit,"  in  making  various  brands  of  roofing,  and  in  other  ways.  Various 
experiments  have  been  made  with  the  potash  feldspars  in  the  attempt 
to  extract  their  potash  content  for  use  in  fertilizers.  Some  recent 
successes  along  these  lines  are  enumerated  under  Potash. 

Total  amount  and  value  of  feldspar  production  in  California  since 
the  inception  of  the  industry  are  given  in  the  following  table,  by  years : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

1 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1910    

760 

740 

1,382 

2.129 

3,530 

$5,720 
4,560 
6,180 
7.850 

16,565 

1 
1915 

1,800 
2,630 

$9,000 

1911    

1916    

Totals    

14,350 

1912    

1913 

1914    

12,971 

$64,220 

FULLER'S  EARTH. 
BihUographij :  Bulletin  38.     U.  S.  Bur.  of  M.,  Bull.  71. 

Fuller's  earth  production  in  California  during  the  year  1916 
amounted  to  110  tons,  valued  at  $550,  as  compared  with  692  tons  valued 
at  $4,002,  in  1915. 

This  material  is  soft  and  friable,  and,  in  general,  resembles  a  clay, 
but  is  non-plastic.  It  has  no  definite  mineralogical  composition,  and 
its  commercial  value  is  determined  by  its  physical  properties,  i.  e., 
texture,  and  filtering  and  absorbent  properties. 

In  California,  fuller's  earth  is  used  in  clarifying  both  refined 
mineral  and  vegetable  oils,  although  its  original  use  was  in  fulling 
wool,  as  the  name  indicates.  During  1916  the  production  came  from 
Fresno  and  Kern  counties.  A  large  deposit  of  high-grade  fuller's  earth 
has  been  found  near  Elsinore  in  Riverside  County.  Some  has  also 
come  from  Solano  County. 

It  was  first  produced  commercially  in  this  state  in  1899,  and  the 
total  amount  and  value  of  the  output  since  that  time  are  as  follows : 


Teat 

Tons 

Value 

1 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1899 

190O 

1901 

1902 

1903 

620 
500 

1,000 
987 
250 
500 

1,344 

440 

100 

50 

$12,400 

3,750 

19,500 

19,246 

4,750 

9,500 

38,000 

10,500 

1,000 

1.000 

1909  

1910 

1911 

1912 - 

1918       

459 
340 
466 
876 
460 
760 
692 
110 

$7,385 
3,820 
5.294 
6,500 
3,700 

1904 

1914       

5,928 

1905 

1915                     _      

4,002 

1906 

1916    

550 

1907 

1908 

Totals    

9,954 

$156,825 

STATISTICS    OF    ANNUAL    PRODUCTION. 


95 


FLUORSPAR. 

Bibliography :  Bulletin  67. 

Fluorspar  is  used  as  a  flux  in  steel  and  iron  smelting,  and  in  the 
production  of  aluminum.  It  is  also  utilized  in  the  manufacture  of 
hydrofluoric  acid,  glass,  porcelain,  enamels  and  sanitary  ware. 

In  California,  deposits  have  been  reported  in  Los  Angeles,  Mono 
and  San  Bernardino  counties,  but  as  yet  no  commercial  production  has 
resulted. 

GEMS. 

BihJiograpliy:  State  ]\Iineralogist  Reports  IT,  XIV.     Bulletins  37, 
G4,  67. 

Accounting  for  the  production  of  gems  in  California  is  somewhat 
unsatisfactory,  owing  to  the  widely  scattered  places  at  which  stones  are 
gathered  and  marketed  in  a  very  small  way.  The  following  table  shows 
the  production,  by  counties,  of  rough  uncut  materials  during  1916 : 


County 


Value 


Kind 


Butte   

Los  Angeles  -_. 
San  Bernardino 
San  Diego 

San  Mateo  

Total  value 


Diamonds. 

Beach    stones. 

Bloodstone  and  blue  chalcedony. 

Beryl,  golden  beryl,  hyacinth,  kunzite,  tour- 
malines, green  topaz,  smoky  and  white  ciuartz 
crystals. 

Beach  stones. 


California  tourmalines  are  decidedly  distinctive  in  coloring  and 
"fire"  as  compared  to  foreign  stones  of  this  classification.  The  colors 
range  from  deep  ruby  to  pink,  and  various  shades  of  green;  also  more 
recently  a  blue  tourmaline  has  been  found. 

Two  of  our  California  gem  stones,  kunzite  and  benitoite,  are  not 
found  elsewhere  in  the  world ;  and  these,  each  in  but  a  single  locality 
here:  the  former  in  the  Pala  Chief  Mine  in  San  Diego  County,  and 
the  latter  in  the  Dallas  Mine  in  San  Benito  County. 

Some  rhodonite  was  taken  out  in  Siskiyou  County  in  1915,  and  used 
for  decorative  purposes,  its  value  being  included  in  the  marble  figures. 

Diamonds  have  been  found  in  a  number  of  localities  in  California; 
but  in  every  case,  they  have  been  obtained  in  stream  gravels  while 
working  them  for  gold.  The  principal  districts  have  been :  Volcano  in 
Amador  County;  Placerville,  Smith's  Flat  and  others  in  El  Dorado 
County;  French  Corral,  Nevada  County;  Cherokee  Flat  and  Yankee 
Hill,  Butte  County;  Gopher  Hill  and  upper  Spanish  Creek,  Plumas 
County.    The  most  productive  district  of  recent  years  has  been  Cherokee 


I 


9e5 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


in  Butte  County.  In  1916,  in  addition  to  several  smaller  ones,  a  two- 
carat  stone  was  found,  which  after  cutting  was  stated  to  have  been 
valued  at  $450. 

The  value  of  the  total  gem  production  in  California  annuaUy  since 
the  beginning  of  commercial  production  is  as  follows: 


Year 

Value                                           Year 

Value 

1900    --- 

$20  500     1910  

$237,4^ 

23',ol 

13,74f 

3,970 

3  565 

1901    

1902   

1S03   

40,000 
162,100 
110,50:) 
136  000  i 
1  '8,500 
497,09(.> 
232.642 
208,950 
193,700 

1911   

1P12 

1913   ."[.] 

1904   

1914    

1P05       

U.15   

1906    

1907 

1916   

Total    

4.752 

1908   

?-2,088,358 

1909  

GRAPHITE. 

Bibliography :  State   Mineralogist  Reports  XIII,   XIV.     Bulletii 
67.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.  1914,  Pt.  II. 

Graphite  has  been  produced  from  time  to  time  in  the  state,  comin' 
principally  from  Sonoma  County,  and  was  used  in  paint  manufacture.' 
It  is  difficult  for  these  deposits,  which  are  not  particularly  pure,  tc 
compete  with  foreign  supplies  which  go  on  the  market  almost  directly 
as  they  come  from  the  deposit. 

The  annual  graphite  production  of  the  United  States  previous  tc 
1915  amounted  to  about  $250,000,  while  the  yearlj-^  imports  had  a  value] 
of  approximately  two  million  dollars.  These  facts  show  the  possibili- 
ties which  are  open  to  this  branch  of  the  mineral  industry,  providedj 
of  course,  that  investigation  would  show  sufficient  amounts  of  high-j 
grade  material  to  compete  with  the  imported  article,  which  at  the 
present  time  comes  largely  from  Ceylon.  Low-grade  ores  are  eoncen-j 
trated  with  considerable  difficulty  and  the  electric  process  of  manufac-j 
turing  artificial  graphite  from  coal  has  been  perfected  to  such  a  degree 
that  only  deposits  of  natural  graphite  of  a  superior  quality  can  be 
exploited  with  any  certainty  of  success. 

On  account  of  its  unfusibility  and  resistance  to  the  action  of  moltei 
metals,  graphite  is  very  valuable.     It  is  also  largely  used  in  the  manu-j 
facture  of  electrical  appliances,  of  "lead"  pencils,  as  a  lubricant,  aS 
stove  polish,  and  in  many  other  ways.     Amorphous  graphite,  commonli 
carrying  many  impurities,  brings  a  much  lower  price.     For  some  puH 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


97 


poses,  sucli  as  foundry  facings,  etc.,  the  low-grade  material  is 
satisfactory-.  The  price  increases  with  the  grade  of  the  material  until 
the  best  quality  crystalline  variety,  ranges  as  high  as  $200  per  ton. 
Because  of  the  present  increased  demand  for  brass  and  crucible  steel, 
the  requirement  for  graphite  crucibles  has  gone  up  rapidly,  thus  boost- 
ing the  price  of  flake  graphite  to  above  $400  per  ton  for  Ceylon  lumps. 
The  coarser  flakes  are  necessary  for  crucibles  as  they  help  to  bind  the 
clay  together  in  addition  to  their  refractory  service. 

Among  the  newer  uses  for  graphite  is  the  prevention  of  formation 
of  scale  in  boilers.  The  action  is  a  mechanical  one.  Being  soft  and 
slippery,  the  graphite  prevents  the  particles  of  scale  from  adhering  to 
one  another  or  to  the  boiler  and  they  are  thus  easily  removed. 

Occurrence  of  graphite  has  been  reported  at  various  times  from 
Calaveras,  Fresno,  Imperial,  Los  Angeles,  Mendocino,  San  Bernardino, 
San  Diego,  Siskiyou,  Sonoma  and  Tuolumne  counties. 

During  1916  production  was  reported  to  the  amount  of  15  tons, 
worth  $2,335.  It  was  concentrated  from  a  disseminated  ore,  and  was 
used  for  paint,  foundry  facing,  and  lubricants.  The  production,  by 
years,  has  been  as  follows: 


Year 

Pounds 

Value 

1901                --         -                

128,000 
84,000 

$4,480 

1902      .     _     -     . 

1,680 

1908                                                  _       .   . -_ 

1913     .             ---    --    

2,500 

25 

1914                           ■                                                 .-_-_— 

1915          _....__._- 

1916        .          -- - 

29,190 

2,335 

Totals   

243,690 

$8,520 

GYPSUM. 
Bibliography :  Bulletins  38,  67.     Report  XIV. 

Gypsum  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  state,  and  is  produced 
to  a  considerable  extent,  to  supply  the  fertilizer  manufacturers  and 
those  of  plaster  and  cement.  One  producer  reported  orders  for  ship- 
ment to  Honolulu,  for  fertilizer  purposes. 

During  1916,  six  producers  in  Inyo,  Riverside  and  San  Bernardino 
counties  took  out  a  total  of  33,38-4  tons,  valued  at  $59,533.  The  increase 
over  the  20,200  tons,  valued  at  $48,953  in  1915  is  due  principally  to 
the  entry  of  a  new  plant  in  Inyo  County,  besides  a  fair  increase  in  the 
output  of  the  older  plants  in  San  Bernardino  and  Riverside  counties. 


7—31821 


98 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Total  annual  production  of  gypsum  in  California  since  such  record^ 
have  been  compiled  by  this  Bureau  is  as  follows : 


Tear 

! 

Tons 

1 
Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value    ■ 

1887 - 

2,700 

$27,000 

1903 --   _ 

6,914 

$46  441 

1888 

2,500 

25,000 

1904 

8,350 

56,592 

1889 

3,000 

30,000 

1905 

12,850 

54,500 

1890 

3.000 

30,000 

1906  

21,000 

69,000 

1891 

2.O0O 

20.000 

1907 

8,900 

57,700 

1892 _-. 

2,000 
1.620 
2,446  1 
5,158  , 

20.000 
14,280 
24.584 
51,014 

1908 

34,600 
30,700 
45,294 
31,457 

155.400 

1893 

1909 

138.176 

1894 

1910 

129,152 

1895 

1911 

101,475 

1896 

1,310  ' 

12.580 

1912 

37.529 

117,388 

1897 

2,200  , 

19,250 

1913 

47.100 

135,050 

1898 

3,100 

23.600 

1914 

29,7.^4 

78.375 

1899 

3,663 

14,950 

1915 

20.200 

48.953  , 

1900 

1901 

2,522 
3,875  1 
10,200 

I 

10,088 
38  750 

1916 

33  384 

59  5:^3 

1902 

53,500 

Totals  

419,306 

$1,662,331 

INFUSORIAL  and  DIATOMACEOUS  EARTH. 

BihJiographij:    State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,   XII,   XIII,   XIV. 
Bulletins  38,  67. 

Infusorial  and  diatomaceous  earths — sometimes  called  tripolite — are 
very  light  and  extremely  porous,  chalk-like  materials  composed  of^ 
pure  silica  (chalk,  being  calcareous)  which  has  been  laid  down  under 
water  and  consist  of  the  remains  of  microscopical  infusoria  and  diatoms. 
The  former  are  animal  remains,  and  the  latter  are  from  plants.  Their 
principal  commercial  use  is  as  an  absorbent;  and  it  is  also  employed 
in  the  manufacture  of  scouring  soap  and  polishing  powders,  and  in 
making  some  classes  of  refractory  brick.  It  is  a  first-class  nonconductor 
of  heat,  where  high  temperatures  are  employed,  such  as  around  steel 
and  gas  plants  and  power  houses.  In  such  cases,  it  is  built  in  as  an 
insulating  layer  in  furnace  walls.  In  Germany,  under  the  same 
"kieselguhr, "  it  is  used  as  an  absorbent  for  nitroglycerine  in  the  manu- 
facture of  dynamite. 

The  most  important  deposits  in  California  thus  far  known  are  located 
in  Monterey,  Orange,  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  Santa  Barbara  counties. 
The  Santa  Barbara  material  is  diatomaceous  and  is  of  a  superior 
quality.  Infusorial  earth  is  also  found  in  Fresno,  Kern,  Los  Angeles, 
Plumas,  San  Benito,  San  Bernardino,  San  Joaquin,  Shasta,  Sonoma, 
and  Tehama  counties. 

During  1916,  there  were  three  actively  operated  quarries  in  Monterey 
and  Santa  Barbara  counties,  which  produced  a  total  of  15,322  tons, 
valued  at  $80,649,  conpared  with  12,400  tons,  valued  at  62,000,  in  1915. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  average  price  varies  widely  from  year  to 
year.     This  fact  is  true  in  case  of  many  of  the  industrial  materials. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


99 


I     The  quality  of  the  product  fluctuates  as  does  the  demand;  when  both 

are  favorable  the  maximum  price  obtains. 
&     The    first    recorded    production    of    these    materials    in    California 

occurred  in  1889 ;  total  amount  and  value  of  output,  to  date,  are  as 

follows : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Valui 

1889 

39 

$1,335     1904 

6,950 

$112,282 

1890 

'  1905 

3,000 

15,000 

1891 

i  1906  

2,430 

14.400 

1892 

1  1907 

2,531 

28.948 

1893 

50 

2.000  \  1908 

2,950 

32.012 

1894 

51 

2,040  1  1909 

500 

3,500 

1895 

'  1910 

1.843 

17,617 

1896 

i:  1911 

2,194 

19,670 

1897 

5 

200  1912 

4,129 

17,074 

1898 

1  1913 

8,645 

35,968 

1899 

:  1914 

12,840 

80,350 

1900 

1915 

12.400 
15.322 

62.000 

1901 ...     -  _      - 

1916 

80,649 

1902 

422 

2,532 

1903 

2,703 

16,015 

Totals    

79,004 

.$543,592 

LIMESTONE. 
BihJiography:    State  ]\Iineralogist  Eeports  IV,  XII,  XIII,  XIV. 
Bulletin  38. 

Limestone  wa.s  produced  in  12  counties  during  1916,  to  the  amount 
of  187,521  tons,  valued  at  $217,733.  This  amount  does  not  include  the 
limestone  used  in  the  manufacture  of  cement  nor  of  lime  for  building 
purposes,  but  accounts  for  that  utilized  as  a  smelter  flux,  for  sugar 
making,  and  in  other  chemical  and  manufacturing  processes  (including 
fertilizers,  roofing  preparations,  whiting  for  paint,  terrazzo  and  for 
CO,).  The  marked  drop  in  the  1915  output  as  compared  with  the  1914 
figures,  was  due  in  part  to  our  transferring  to  the  macadam  classifica- 
tion a  large  tonnage  of  limestone  employed  as  road  metal ;  but  which 
in  the  1914  report  was  classified  as  "industrial"  limestone.  The  1916 
output  shows  a  material  increase  over  1915. 

Distribution  of  the  1916  output  is  as  follows: 


County 

Tons 

Value 

Kern  ..  _  .  _    .,    . .      _.             .  .      _    .. 

3.402 
65,174 

4,318 
51,931 

3,137 

59,559 

$3,947 

San  Bernardino        -    -         ____           _._      

63.486 

Santa  Cruz .  .         .. .         .    _. .. 

9,820 

Shasta        ..^         -------         -      - -  -  - 

51,737 

Tuolumne        -  -  -  —    - .  - -  - --     . 

5,132 

Alameda,  Contra  Costa,  El  Dorado,  Placer,  Santa  Bar- 
bara, Santa  Clara,  Tulare*    -. -    -. 

83,611 

Totals    -.    -    .. 

187,521 

$217,733 

♦Combined   to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  In  each. 


100 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


In  the  early  reports  of  this  Bureau  values  for  lime  and  limestone 
were  not  segregated.  The  following  tabulation  shows  the  total  com- 
bined value  of  such  material  since  records  for  the  state  were  first 
compiled,  in  1887,  to  date: 


Tear 


Value 


Tear 


Value 


1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 


$368,750 
381,750 
416.780 
350,000 
300.000 
300,000 
301,276 
337,975 
457,784 
332,617 
291,465 
278,558 
343,760 
315,231 
434,133 
460,140 


1903  

1904  

1905  

1906  

1907  

1908  

1909  

1910  

1911  

1912  

1913  

1914  

1915  

1916  

Total 


$582,268 
658.956 
878,647 
925,887 

1,162,417 
676,507 
997,745 

1,058,891 
843,778 

1,034,688 
803,002 
896,376 
442,592 
608,208 


$17,2^10,181 


LITHIA. 

Bihliography :  State  ]\Iineralogist  Reports  II,  lY,  XIV.     Bulletins 
38,  67. 

Lithia  mica,  lepidolite  (a  silicate  of  lithium  et  al.)  utilized  in  the 
manufacture  of  artificial  mineral  water,  fireworks,  etc.,  was  mined  and 
sold  in  San  Diego  County  during  the  years  1899-1905  inclusive,  but 
there  was  no  commercial  production  from  the  latter  date,  until  1915. 
Some  amblygonite,  a  lithium  phosphate,  has  also  been  obtained  from 
pockets  associated  with  the  gem  tourmalines.  In  1916,  the  yield  of 
lepidolite  w^as  71  tons,  valued  at  $1,065,  and  w^as  utilized  in  glass 
manufacture. 

The  following  table  of  analyses  shows  the  composition  of  some  of  the 
lithia  minerals : 

Analyses  of   Lithra    Minerals.*'' 


Amblygo- 
nite. 
Pala.  Cal. 
(per  cent) 


Lepidolite, 

Pala.  Cal. 

(per  cent) 


Spodu- 

mene, 

Goshen, 

Mass. 

(per  cent) 


Spodu- 

mene. 

Branchvlllc 

Mass. 
(per  cent) 


Lepidolite. 

Paris. 

Maine 
(per  cent) 


Lithia  (Li.O) 

Silica    (SiOo)    

Phosphoric  acid    (PjOj) 

Alumina   (ALOj)    

Iron  oxide   (FeO) 

Potash  (K,0) 

Soda    (Naob)    

Loss  on  ignition,  water,  etc. 

Undetermined    

Lime  (CaO)   

Magnesia  (MgO) 

Fluorine  


8.26 

1.99 

45.47 

33.09 

Trace 


4.91 

48.61 


6.89 
63.27 


7.62 
64.25 


22.36 


16.16 

.38 


6.28 
3.56 
1.35 


23.73 

1.17 

1.45 

.99 

.36 


27.20 
.20 


.39 
.24 


.64 


2.05 


.11 
2.02 


4.20 
50.92 


24.99 
.23 

11.38 
2.11 
1.96 


6.29 


•'Bulletin   No.    38,   p.    308. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  101 

Lithia  mica  total  production  in  the  state  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 


Tons 


1899 
1900 

1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 


124 
440 
1.100 
822 
700 
641 


Value 


$4,600 
11,000 
27.500 
31,880 
27.300 
25,000 


Tear 


1906 
1906 
1915 
1916 


Totals 


Tons 


25 


91 

71 


4,014 


Value 


$276 


1,365 

1,065 


$129,986 


MICA. 

BihliograpJiy :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  IV.     Bulletins  38,  67. 
No  production  of  mica  has  recently  been  reported.     Production  in 
previous  years  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1902    

50 
50 
50 

$2,500 

1903    

3,800 

1904  _            _            ^               _        ^ 

3,000 

Totals 


150  1 


$9,300 


MINERAL  PAINT. 
Bihliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV.     Bul- 
I  letin  38. 

P  Mineral  paint  was  produced  in  California  in  1916  from  Colusa,  San 
Bernardino  and  Stanislaus  counties,  amounting  to  643  tons,  valued  at 
$3,960.  This  is  a  little  more  than  double  the  tonnage  and  value  of 
1915.  The  material  from  the  first  two  named  was  hematite  and  jasper, 
while  that  from  Stanislaus  was  yellow  ochre.  The  Stanislaus  and 
Calaveras  ochres  are  the  equal  of  any  of  the  imported  ochres. 

&  Besides  the  above-named  counties,  deposits  of  mineral  paint  are 
located  in  the  following:  Kern,  Kings,  Lake,  Los  Angeles,  Nevada, 
Riverside,  and  Sonoma. 


3   9^^ 


■  ai 


102 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  first  recorded  production  of  this  material  in  the  state  was  in  the 
year  1890.  The  output  showing  annual  amount  and  value,  since  that 
time,  is  given  herewith: 


Year 


Tons 


Value 


Year 


1890 
1891 

1892 
1893 

1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 


40 

22 

25 

590 


$480 

880 

750 

26,795 


610 

14  140 

750 

8,425 

395 

5,540 

578 

8.165 

653 

9,698 

1,704 

20.294 

529 

3,993 

325 

875 

589 

1,533 

2,370 

3,720 

270 

1,985 

Tons 


Value 


19ft5 '  754  I  $4,025 

1906 250  1,720 

1907 250  1,720 

1908 335  2,250 

1909 305  2,325 

1910 200  2,040 

11911 186  1,184 

1912 300  1,800 

1913 303  1.780 

1914 132  847 

1915 311  1,756 

1916 643  3,960 

Totals  '  13,419  I  $132,680 


MINERAL  WATER. 
Bibliography :    State  Mineralogist  Reports  VI,  XII,  XIII,  XIV. 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Water  Supply  Paper  338. 

A  widespread  production  of  mineral  water  is  shown  annually  in 
California.  These  figures  refer  to  mineral  water  actually  bottled  for 
sale,  or  for  local  consumption.  Water  from  some  of  the  springs  having 
a  special  medicinal  value  brings  a  price  many  times  higher  than  the 
average  shown,  while  in  some  cases  the  water  is  used  merely  for  drink- 
ing purposes  and  sells  for  a  nominal  figure.  Health  and  pleasure 
resorts  are  located  at  many  of  the  springs.  The  waters  of  some  of  the 
hot  springs  are  not  suitable  for  drinking,  but  are  very  efficacious  for' 
bathing.  P>om  a  therapeutic  standpoint,  California  is  particularly 
rich  in  mineral  springs.  The  counterparts  of  practically  any  of  the 
world-famed  spas  of  Europe  or  the  eastern  United  States  can  be  found 
here. 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 

Commercial  production,  by  counties,  for  1916  was; 


103 


County 


Butte    

Calaveras    

Contra  Costa 

Humboldt    

Lake   


T,os  Angeles 
Monterey   ... 
Napa   


San  Bernardino  

Siui  Luis  Obispo 

Santa  Barbara  

Santa  Clara  

Siskiyou   

Solano   

Sonoma  

Colusa,  Fresno,  Marin,  Riverside,  San  Benito,  San  Diego, 
Shasta,  Tehama,  Trinity* 


Gallons 


\ 


Totals 


3,150 

18,255 

351,724 

3,000 

195,650 

320,700 

5,900 

152,764 

40,500 

2,500 

176,608 

50,000 

502,650 

11,200 

121,366 

317,850 


Value 


2,273,817 


$1,125 

7,a25 

6,154 

750 

54,160 

8,552 

590 

93,370 

6,500 

475 

110,200 

11,300 

50,530 

3,750 

28,a31 

27,600 


$410,112 


*Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


Amount  and  value  of  mineral  water  produced  in  California  since 
1887  are  given  herewith: 


Year 


Gallons 


Value 


Year 


Gallons 


Value 


1887 618,162 

1888 1,112,202 

1889 808,625 

1890 258,722 

1891 334,553 

1892 331,875 

1893 383,179 

1894 402,275 

1895 701,397 

1896 808,843 

1897 1,508,192 

1898 1,429,809 

1899 1,338,537 

1900 2,456,115 

1901 1,555,328 

1902 1,701.142 


$144,368 
252,990 
252,241 

89,786 
139,959 
162,019 

90,667 
184,481 
291,500 
337,434 
345,863 
213,817 
406,691 
268,607 
559,057 
612,477 


1903 I  2,056,340 

1904 :  2,430,320 

1905 2,194,150 

1906 1,585,690 

1907 2,924,269 

1908 2,789,715 

1909 2,449,834 

1910 2,335,259 


1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


2,637,669 
2,497,794 
2,350,792 
2,443,572 
2,274,267 
2,273,817 


Totals  I  48,992,444 


$558,201 
496,946 
538,700 
478,186 
544,016 
660,507 
465,488 
522,009 
590,654 
529,384 
599,748 
476,169 
467,738 
410,112 


$11,589,815 


PHOSPHATES. 

[A        Bibliography:  Bulletin  67. 

HpNo  commercial  production  of  phosphates  has  been  recorded  from  Cali- 
fornia, though  occasional  pockets  of  the  lithia  phosphate,  amblygonite, 
Li   (AlF)   PO4,  have  been  found  associated  with  the  gem  tourmaline 
deposits  in  San  Diego  County.     Such  production  has  been  classified 
under  lithia. 


104 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


PUMICE  and  VOLCANIC  ASH. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIV  (see  "Tufa"). 
Bulletin  38. 

The  production  of  pumice  and  volcanic  ash  for  the  year  1916 
amounted  to  1,246  tons,  valued  at  $18,092,  and  came  from  Imperial 
and  San  Bernardino  counties.  The  material  from  Imperial  County 
is  the  vesicular,  block  pumice,  this  being  practically  the  only  locality 
in  the  United  States  producing  this  class  of  rock  at  the  present  time; 
and  is  stated  to  have  found  a  ready  market.  The  Lipari  Islands,  Italy, 
have  in  the  past  been  the  principal  source  of  supply  of  block  pumice, 
but  now  largely  shut  off  owing  to  the  European  war.  There  are  other 
Iniown  deposits  of  such  pumice  in  California,  in  Inyo,  Madera,  Mono 
and  Siskiyou  counties,  but  not  at  present  utilized.  The  material 
shipped  from  Inyo  and  Madera  counties  in  1915  was  the  fine-grained, 
volcanic  ash  of  tuff  variety.  It  is  employed  in  making  scouring  soaps 
and  polishing  powders. 

Commercial  production  of  pumice  in  California  was  first  reported  to 
the  State  Mining  Bureau  in  1909,  then  not  again  until  1912,  since  which 
year  there  has  been  a  small  annual  output,  as  indicated  by  the  following 
table : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1909  ... 

1910  - 

50 

$500 

1911                                                 —  i 

1912  ... 

1913  ... 

100 

3,590 

2,500 

4,500 

Year 


Tons 


Value 


1914 

1915 - 

1916    

Totals 


50 

380 
1,246 


5,416 


$1,000 
6.400 

18,092 


$32,992 


PYRITE. 

BihliograpJnj:  Bulletin  38.     Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  114,  pp.  825, 
840. 

Pyrite  is  mined  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of  sulphuric  acid. 
Experiments  are  being  made  as  to  the  effect  of  sulphur,  sulphuric  acid, 
and  SO2  in  the  correction  and  fertilization  of  alkali  soils.  Two  prop- 
erties in  Alameda  County  and  one  in  Shasta  report  a  total  production 
in  1916  of  120,525  tons,  valued  at  $372,969.  This  is  the  largest  output 
in  tonnage  of  any  year  except  1909,  and  in  value  except  1908  and  1909. 

This  does  not  include  the  vast  quantities  of  pyrite  which  are  other- 
wise treated  for  their  valuable  metal  contents. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 

The  total  production  in  California  to  date  is  as  follows : 


105 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1898 

1899 

1900   --  

6,000 

5,400 

3,642 

4,578 

17,525 

24,311 

15,043 

15,503 

46,689 

82,270 

107,081 

$30,000 

28,620 

21,133 

18,429 

60,306 

94,000 

62,992 

63,958 

145,895 

251,774 

610,335 

1 

1909 

1910 

1911 

':   1912 

'  1913 

1  1914  

;  1915  

1916 

Totals  

457.867 
42,621 
54,225 
69,872 
79,000 
79,267 
92,462 

120,525 

$1,389,802 
179,862 
182,954 

1901 

203,470 

1902  

218,537 

1903 

230,058 

1904   .  -  

293,148 

1905 

372.969 

1906 

1907 

1,323,881 

$4,458,292 

1908 

SILICA— SAND   and   QUARTZ. 
Bibliography:    State   Mineralogist   Reports   IX,    XIV.     Bulletins 
38,  67. 

We  combine  these  materials,  because  of  the  overlapping  roles  of  vein 
quartz  Avhich  is  mined  for  use  in  glass  making  and  as  an  abrasive,  and 
that  of  silica  sand  which,  although  mainly  utilized  in  glass  manufacture, 
also  serves  as  an  abrasive. 

A  portion  of  the  tonnage  of  vein  quartz  in  1916  was  employed  in  the 
preparation  of  ferro-silicon  by  the  electric  furnace.  Some  also  was 
utilized  as  a  foundry  flux. 

The  production  of  silica  in  1916  amounted  to  20,880  tons,  valued  at 
$48,908,  from  13  properties  in  Amador,  El  Dorado,  Kern,  Los  Angeles, 
Monterey,  Riverside,  Shasta  and  Tulare  counties.  The  decrease  in 
quantity  is  due  to  a  considerable  falling  off  in  the  output  of  Amador 
County.  The  increased  value  is  the  result  of  the  higher  price  reported 
for  the  Kern  County  product. 


County 


Tons 


Value 


Amador  

El  Dorado  

Kern    

Los  Angeles  

Kiverside   

Monterey,  Shasta,  Tulare* 

Totals   


4,341 
886 

4,100 

612 

901 

10,040 


$12,802 
1,717 
23,700 
1,684 
1,642 
7.363 


20,880 


$48,908 


♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


106 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 


Of  the  above  total,  4,202  tons  were  of  vein  and  boulder  quartz,  and 
16,678  tons,  sand. 

Practically  all  the  glass  sand  produced  in  California  occurs  as  such 
and  needs  no  grinding.  There  are  various  deposits  of  quartz  which 
could  be  utilized  for  glass  making,  but  to  date  there  has  been  only  a 
small  commercial  production  of  this  class  of  material. 

Glass  sand  has  been  produced  in  the  following  counties  of  the  state : 
Alameda,  Amador,  El  Dorado,  Los  Angeles,  Monterey,  Orange,  Placer, 
Riverside,  San  Joaquin,  and  Tulare.  The  chief  producing  centers  have 
been  Amador,  Monterey  and  Los  Angeles  counties.  The  industry  is  of 
limited  importance,  so  far,  because  of  the  fact  that  much  of  the  avail- 
able material  is  not  of  a  grade  which  will  produce  first-class  glass. 
High-grade  deposits  are  known,  but  transportation  facilities  in  most 
cases  are  so  poor  that  the  owners  are  unable  to  compete  with  the  for- 
eign sand  which  is  brought  in  as  ballast  and  sold  at  a  low  price. 

Total  silica  production  in  California  since  the  inception  of  the  indus- 
try, in  1899,  is  shown  below,  being  mainly  glass  sand : 


Year 

1 

Tons              A'alue                             Tear 

Tons 

Value 

$25,517 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

IQO? 

3,000         $3,500     1909 

2,200  :        2,200     1910      

12,259 
19,224 

5,000  ,       16,250     1911 

4,500         12,225     1912 

7,725  ;        7,525     1913 

10,004         12,276     1914 

9,257  '        8,121     1915 

8,620            8,672 
13,075           15,404 
18,618           21,899 
28,538           22,688 
28.904           34,322 

9,750         13,375     1916    

11    nCK     1               0 17Q 

20,880           48,908 

1908 9,255         22,045           Totals    

221,874 

$301,370 

SOAPSTONE  or  TALC. 
Bihliograpluj :  State   Mineralogist  Reports   XII,   XIV.     Bulletins 
38,  67. 

Soapstone — also  called  talc  or  steatite — occurs  widely  distributed 
throughout  California.  It  is  found  as  a  hydration  product  in  the  alter- 
ation of  magnesian  silicates,  and  is  often  associated  with  serpentine 
and  actinolite.  But  few  deposits  have  been  proven  of  especial  value  to 
date,  although  there  is  an  undoubted  future  for  this  branch  of  the  min- 
eral industry  in  the  state.  Deposits  of  high  grade  white  talc,  the  equal 
of  the  imported  Italian  article,  are  now  being  developed  in  Inyo  and 
San  Bernardino  counties.  It  is  used  in  making  paper,  toilet  articles, 
soap,  lubricants,  tiling,  etc.,  and  for  such  is  ordinarily  ground  to  about 
200  mesh  before  marketing.  In  this  condition  it  brings  $15  per  ton 
and  upwards,  depending  on  quality.     Commercially,  the  higher  grades 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


107 


are  called  tale,  and  the  lower,  soapstone.  Soapstone  blocks  are  used 
in  fireless  cookers,  and  the  crushed  material  is  used  in  roofing  papers. 
There  was  a  total  output  in  1916  of  1,703  tons,  valued  at  $9,831, 
from  two  producers  each  in  Amador  and  Inyo  counties  and  one  each  in 
El  Dorado  and  San  Bernardino  counties,  divided  as  follows: 


County 


Tons 


Value 


Amador  

Inyo    

EI  Dorado  and  San  Bernardino* 

Totals    


495 
658 
550 


$2,475 
4,606 
2,750 


1,703 


$9,831 


♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  mine  in  each. 

Production  has  been  intermittent  in  the  state  since  1893,  as  shown 


in  the  following  table  : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1893 

400 

$17,750 

i 1906       

1894 

,  1907    

1895 ._      _ 

25 

375 

1908    

3 
33 

740 

$48 

1896 

1909 

280 

1897       

1910    

7.260 

1898 

'  1911 

1899 

1912           _        

1,750 
1,350 
1,000 
1,663 
1,703 

7,350 

1900 

1913        .  -    

6,150 

1901 

10 

14 

219 

228 

300 

119 

288 

10,124 

2,315 

3,000 

1 1914       .  -      

4,500 

1902 

1915    

14,750 

1903 

1916     —    --- 

9.8.31 

1904 

Totals  

1905 

9,438 

$84,140 

STRONTIUM. 

Bibliography:  Bulletin  67.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  540. 

Production  of  strontium  minerals  in  California  in  1916  amounted 
to  57  tons,  worth  $2,850,  from  Imperial  and  San  Bernardino  counties. 
That  from  the  former  is  celestite  (SrSOJ,  while  that  from  near 
Barstow  in  San  Bernardino  County  is  the  carbonate,  strontianite 
(SrCO,.,).  This  is  the  first  recorded  commercial  output  of  strontium 
minerals  in  California.  The  occurrence  of  the  carbonate  is  particularly 
interesting  and  valuable,  as  it  appears  to  be  the  first  considerable  deposit 
of  commercial  importance  so  far  opened  up  in  the  United  States. 
Shipments  reported  as  averaging  80%  SrCO;.  are  being  made.  The 
deposit  is  associated  with  deposits  of  barite. 

In  addition  to  the  Imperial  County  occurrence  above  noted,  celestite 
is  also  found  near  Calico,  and  in  the  Avawatz  Mountains  in  San  Bernar- 
dino County,  but  as  yet  undeveloped.     The  above  output  was  converted 


108  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

to  the  nitrate,  which  has  been  quoted  recently  at  prices  in  excess  of 
$450  per  ton,  f.  o.  b.  eastern  points. 

It  is  estimated  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  that  prior  to  1914 
about  2,000  tons  of  strontium  nitrate  was  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
flares,  or  Costen  and  Bengal  lights  and  fireworks.  The  demand  has 
since  increased  considerably.  Previously,  the  nitrate  was  imported 
from  Germany,  England  and  Sicily. 

There  is  undoubtedly  a  good  future  for  the  strontium  minerals  in 
California,  if  the  beet-sugar  factories  will  take  up  their  use,  as  has 
been  done  in  Germany.  Strontia  is  much  more  efficient  and  satisfac- 
tory in  that  process  than  lime,  as  it  is  stated  to  give  an  additional 
recovery  of  6%-8%  over  lime.  In  Germany  and  Russia,  about  100,000 
tons  of  strontium  hydroxide  are  used  annually  in  the  sugar  industry. 

Of  the  two  minerals,  strontianite  is  the  more  desirable,  but  scarcer. 
Celestite  is  more  abundant,  and  can  be  sold  in  large  quantities  at  about 
$12-$14  per  ton  at  the  Atlantic  seaboard.  Celestite  is  found  with  lime- 
stones and  sandstones  and  is  sometimes  associated  with  gypsum. 
Strontianite  is  also  found  with  limestone,  but  associated  with  barite  and 
calcite. 

SULPHUR. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  XIII,  XIV.     Bulle- 
tins 38,  67. 

There  is,  at  present,  no  commercial  output  of  native  sulphur  in 
California  although  this  mineral  has  been  found  to  some  extent  in 
Colusa,  Imperial,  Inyo,  Kern,  Lake,  ]\Iariposa,  San  Bernardino,  Sonoma, 
Tehama,  and  Ventura  counties.  Production  of  sulphur  seems  improb- 
able in  the  immediate  future,  although  possibilities  of  such  a  condition 
remain  to  be  proven. 

Sulphur  was  produced  at  the  famous  Sulphur  Bank  mine,  in  Lake 
County,  during  the  years  1865-1868  (inc.),  totaling  941  tons,  valued  at 
$53,500 ;  following  which  the  property  became  more  valuable  for  its 
quicksilver.  There  has  been  no  commercial  yield  of  sulphur  in  Cali- 
fornia since  that  period. 

About  37,000  tons  of  sulphur  per  year  are  imported  to  the  United 
States  from  Japan,  most  of  it  coming  in  through  the  port  of  San 
Francisco. 


I 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


CHAPTER  SIX. 


109 


SALINES. 
Under  this  heading  are  included  borax,  common  salt, 


and  other  alkaline  salts.  The  first  two  have  been  produced  in  a  number 
of  localities  in  California,  more  or  less  regularly  since  the  early  sixties, 
although  the  State  Mining  Bureau  kept  no  annual  records  of  output 
previous  to  1887.  Except  for  a  single  year's  absence,  soda  lias  had 
a  continuous  production  since  1894.  Potash  and  magnesium  chloride 
have  only  recently  been  added  to  the  commercial  list,  while  the  nitrates 
are  still  prospective.  The  possibilities  for  future  developments  of  all 
these  are  very  promising. 
1^  Our  main  resources  of  salines  are  the  ancient  lake  beds  of  the  desert 
regions  of  Imperial,  Inyo,  Kern,  Los  Angeles,  and  San  Bernardino 
counties,  and  the  waters  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

The  following  tabulation  shows  amount  and  value  of  the  saline 
minerals  produced  in  California  during  the  years  1915  and  191G,  with 
increase  in  value  for  1916  as  compared  with  the  previous  year: 


1915 

1916 

Substance 

Tons 

Value 

Tons 

Value 

Increase 
(value) 

Borax       .- - -- 

67,004 

$1,663,521 

103,523 

851 

17,908 

186,148 

10,593 

$2,409,375 

6,407 

663,605 

455,695 

264.825 

$745,854 

Magnesium  chloride            --                  

6,407 

Potasli   

Salt    - 

1,076 

169,028 

5,799 

19,391 

368,737 

83,485 

644,214 
86,958 

Soda       -    .  _    - -- 

181.a4<) 

Totals             .....    

$2,135,134 

$3,799,907 

$1,664,773 

I  BORAX. 

Bibliography  :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  III,  X,  XII,  XIII.  Bul- 
letins 24,  67. 
Borax  was  first  discovered  in  California  in  the  waters  of  Tuscan 
Springs  in  Tehama  County,  January  8,  1856.  Borax  Lake,  in  Lake 
County,  was  discovered  in  September  of  the  same  year  by  Dr.  John  A. 
Veatch.  This  deposit  was  worked  in  1861—1868,  inclusive,  and  during 
that  time  produced  1,181,365  pounds  of  refined  borax.  This  was  the 
first  commercial  output  of  this  salt  in  the  United  States ;  and  California 
is  still  today  the  only  American  producer  of  borax. 

Production  from  the  dry  lake  or  "playa"  deposits  of  Inyo  and  San 
Bernardino  counties  began  in  1873 ;  but  it  was  not  until  1887  that  the 
borax  industry  was  revolutionized  by  the  discovery  of  the  colemanite 
beds  at   Calico  in   San  Bernardino   County.     These  have  since  been 


110 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


worked  out,  and  the  present  output  comes  from  similar  beds  in  Iny( 
and  Los  Angeles  counties.  The  colemanite  deposits  of  Ventura  Countj 
are  at  present  unworked,  owing  to  lack  of  transportation  facilities. 

During  1916  two  producers  reported  a  total  output  of  103,523  tons, 
valued  at  $2,409,375,  compared  with  67,004  tons,  valued  at  $1,663,521, 
in  1915. 

Value  of  the  state's  borax  output  since  1887  is  shown  in  the  following 
table : 


Tear 


Value 


Tear 


Value 


1887  '  $116,689 

1888  196.636 

1889  145,473 

1890  480,152 

1891  640,000 

1892  838,787 

1893  593,292 

1894  _ 807,807 

1895  595,900 

1896  675,400 

1897  1,080,000 

1898  1,153,000 

1899  1,139,882 

1900  1,013,251 

1901  I  E82.380 

1902  2,234,994 


1903   

$661,400 

1904     

098,810 

1905   

1,019,158 

1906   

1,182,410 

1907   

1,200,913 

1908 

1,117,000 

1909  

1,163,960 

1910  

1,177,960 

1911    

1,456.672 

1912   

1.122,713 

1913  

1,491,530 

1914   

1,483.500 

1915        

1,663,521 

1916  

2,409,875 

Total    

$30,542,565 

MAGNESIUM  CHLORIDE. 

Magnesium  chloride  is  an  important  item  in  certain  chemical  uses,' 
and  in  the  preparation  of  Sorel  cement  in  lajnng  magnesite  floors.  In 
the  past,  Germany  has  been  the  principal  source  of  this  chloride,  which 
source  is  at  the  present  time,  of  course,  cut  off.  For  this  reason  experi- 
ments are  being  made  to  prepare  it  by  acid  solution  from  magnesite, 
which  is  so  abundant  in  California.  Some  of  the  salt  companies  began 
its  commercial  preparation  in  1916,  from  the  residual  bitterns  obtained 
during  the  evaporation  of  sea  water  for  its  sodium  chloride.  This 
initial  year's  yield  amounted  to  851  tons,  valued  at  $6,407. 

Bitterns  made  at  plants  on  San  Francisco  Bay  carry  23  to  86  parts  of 
magnesium  per  thousand,  or  2.3%  to  8.6%  magnesium." 

Metallic  magnesium  is  prepared  electrolytically,  utilizing  generally 
an  electrolyte  of  magnesium  chloride  and  an  alkaline  chloride.  Its 
commonest  known  use  is  in  the  powdered  form  for  flashlights  in 
photography.  Its  largest  recent  use  is  in  the  making  of  war  muni 
tions.^^ 


"U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  Bur.  Soils,  Bull.  94,  p.  6G,  1913. 
"U.   S.  G.   S.,  Min.  Res.   1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  740. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  Ill 

It  does  not  enter  as  an  integral  part  into  the  explosives  nor  arms,  but 
small  quantities  are  put  in  slinipncl  shells,  that  observers  and  gunners 
may  know  exactly  where  the  shells  are  bursting.  By  day  the  burning 
magnesium  gives  a  dense  pure  white  cloud  of  magnesium  oxide,  and 
at  night  a  dazzling  white  light.  Larger  quantities  are  used  in  aerial 
bombs  and  rockets  for  lighting  up  the  country  at  night.  ]\Iagnesium 
has  as  yet  found  but  a  limited  direct  use  as  a  metal.  Magnalium,  an 
alloy  of  aluminum  containing  about  2%  of  magnesium  and  small  per- 
centages of  other  metals,  is  stated  to  be  used  in  automobiles  and  aero- 
planes. The  possibilities  for  further  important  developments  in  this 
direction  are  promising. 


I 


NITRATES. 

Bibliography :  Bulletin  24. 
Nitrates  of  sodium,  potassium  and  calcium  have  been  found  in  various 
places  in  the  desert  regions  of  the  state,  but  no  deposit  of  commercial 
value  has  been  developed  as  yet.  Interest  in  this  class  of  mineral  sub- 
stance is  increasing  and  closer  search  may  be  rewarded  by  workable 
discoveries.  At  present  the  principal  commercial  source  of  nitrates 
is  the  Chilean  saltpeter  deposits  in  South  America, 
ft  The  subject  of  the  fixation  of  atmospheric  nitrogen  electrically  is  .just 
now  occupying  a  place  in  the  public  mind  by  reason  of  its  success  in 
Germany  and  Scandinavia.  The  possibilities  of  cheap  hydroelectric 
power  in  California  make  the  subject  one  of  intense  interest  to  us,  as  we 
have  also  the  natural  raw  materials  and  chemicals  to  go  with  the  power. 
Sodium  and  potassium  cyanides  can  be  made  by  fixation  of  atmospheric 

nitrogen  electrically. 

POTASH. 

BiUiography:  Bulletin  24.     U.   S.   G.   S.,  I\Iin.   Res.   1913,   1914, 
1915.     Senate  Doc.  No.  190,  62d  Congress,  2d  Session.     Mining  & 
Sci.  Press,  Vol.  112,  p.  155 ;  Vol.  114,  p.  789. 
Potash  had  not,  previous  to  1914,  been  produced  commercially  in 
California.     Considerable  money  has   been  spent  in   the  preliminary 
work  incident  to  developing  deposits  of  potash-bearing  residues  and 
I  brines  in  the  old  lake  beds  of  the  desert  regions.     The  imports  of  potash 
[.salts  and  fertilizers  from  Germany  previous  to  the  European  war  had 
an  annual  value  of  several  millions  of  dollars,  and  their  cessation  has 
made  a  domestic  production  imperative. 
P   The  normal  pre-war  price  of  $35  to  $40  per  ton  for  high-grade  agri- 
cultural salts  has  been  succeeded  by  figures   of  several  times  those 
amounts;  until  in  April,  1916,  the  chloride  was  nominally  quoted  at 
$425  per  ton  and  the  sulphate  from  $350  to  $400  per  ton. 


112  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

During  1916  a  total  of  17,908  tons  of  potash-bearing  material  was 
produced  in  California,  valued  at  $663,605.  This  is,  in  part,  refined 
potassium  chloride  and  sulphate,  kelp  ash  and  dried  kelp,  varying  in 
potash  content  from  60%  K^O  for  the  refined  salts  down  to  14%  in 
the  dried  kelp ;  in  part,  refined  sulphate  and  treater  dust  from  one  of  the 
cement  mills ;  and,  in  part,  concentrated  salts  from  the  brine  of  Searles 
Lake.  The  yield  from  Los  Angeles  and  San  Diego  counties  is  from  the 
operations  of  four  kelp  plants  in  each. 

The  bulk  of  this  output  was  utilized  in  fertilizer  preparations;  but 
the  product  of  one  of  the  kelp  plants  was  refined  to  the  form  of  the 
nitrate  for  explosives  manufacture.  In  addition  to  tlie  amounts  here 
given,  some  tonnage  of  potash  salts  was  recovered  from  the  residual 
bitterns  by  one  of  the  soda-ash  plants  at  Owens  Lake,  Inyo  County, 
but  not  yet  sold. 

Tlie  large  plant  of  the  American  Trona  Corporation  at  Trona,  on 
Searles  Lake,  San  Bernardino  Countj%  began  commercial  operation  in 
September,  1916,  and  is  shipping  crude  salts  carrying  approximately 
36%  K.O  to  Eastern  fertilizer  works,  until  their  refinery  at  San  Pedro 
is  completed.  These  crude  salts  are  stated  to  be  made  up  of  approxi- 
mately 60%  chloride  and  30%  borate,  with  small  amounts  of  other 
constituents.  For  the  current  year,  it  is  expected  to  increase  the 
capacity  from  50  tons  to  100  tons  daily.  "When  their  refinery  is  in 
operation  they  will  separate  the  potash,  soda,  and  borax  before  placing 
them  on  the  market. 

In  the  cement  mill  of  the  Riverside  Portland  Cement  Company,  the 
fine  dust  from  ball  and  tube  mills  is  collected  by  a  Cottrell,  electrical, 
fume  precipitator,  the  material  showing  an  approximately  11%  potash 
content.  Some  sulphate  is  being  prepared  from  this,  but  the  bulk  of 
the  tonnage  sold  goes  to  fertilizer  manufacturers.  For  the  current  year, 
1917,  the  potash  content  is  being  enriched  by  the  utilization  of  ortho- 
clase  feldspar  in  the  cement  mix.  Not  only  in  this  manner  has  the 
extraction  of  potash  from  feldspar  reached  the  commercial  stage,  but,  at 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  the  Star  Chemical  Company  is  using  the  "Thomp- 
son method,-**  in  which  the  feldspar  is  roasted  with  salt  cake  and  common 
salt,  and  then  extracted,  yielding  over  80%  of  the  original  potash  con- 
tent of  the  rock."  The  Cushman-Coggeshall  process  employs  as 
reagents,  quicklime  (CaO)  and  the  CaCU  waste  from  the  ammonia-soda 
alkali  process.  This  "yields  a  sludge  which  is  dried  and  ground,  and 
contains  above  70%  of  KCl,  equal  in  quality  to  the  imported  German 
muriates." 

The  following  tabulation  shows  the  distribution  of  the  1916  output 
of  potash  in  California : 


-"»Min.  &  i?ci.  Press,  Vol.   114,  p.   789,   June  9,   1917. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


113 


County 


Los  Angeles 

Riverside  and  San  Bernardino* 
San  Diego  

Totals  


Tons 

Value 

1,864 

13,8&4 

2,150 

$324,769 
163,032 
175,804 

17.908 

$663,605 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

The  annual  amounts  and  values  of  these  potash  materials,  since  their 
jeginning  in  California,  are  shown  by  the  following  table : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1914   

10 
1.076 

17,908 

$460 

19,391 

663,605 

1915      

1916  

Totals   _    

18,994 

$683,456 

SALT. 

Bibliography:  State   Mineralogist   Reports   II,    XII,   XIII,   XIV. 
Bulletin  24. 

Most  of  the  salt  produced  in  California  is  obtained  by  evaporating 
the  waters  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  plants  being  located  on  the  shores  of 
San  Francisco  Bay,  at  Long  Beach,  and  on  San  Diego  Bay.  Additional 
amounts  are  derived  from  lakes  and  lake  beds  in  the  desert  regions  of 
the  state.  The  salt  production  of  San  Bernardino  County  is  derived 
from  deposits  of  rock  salt  which  are  worked  by  means  of  quarrying  and 
steam  shovels.  A  small  amount  of  valuable  medicinal  salts  is  annually 
obtained  in  Mono  and  Tehama  counties,  by  evaporation  from  mineral 
springs. 

Formerly  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  table  salt  consumed  in 
California  was  shipped  in  from  Eastern  points;  but,  at  present  Cali- 
fornia salt  refineries  supply  not  only  our  OAvn  markets  but  export  a  fair 
tonnage  to  other  states  and  to  Australia. 

The  1916  output  amounted  to  186,148  tons,  valued  at  $455,695,  dis- 
tributed as  follows,  by  counties : 


County 

Tons 

Value 

Alameda .  .  _  _ 

111,206 

2.355 

28,540 

44,047 

$263,773 
13,830 
70,807 

107,285 

San  Bernardino -  _  - _    __      _    _.    _ 

San  Mateo 

Inyo,   Kern,  Los  Angeles,  Modoc, 
Diego,  Solano*    

Mono, 

Monterey,   San 

Totals     

186,148 

$455,695 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  eacii. 
8—31821 


114 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  above  returns  show  an  increase  in  both  tonnage  and  value, 
although  one  plant  in  Alameda  County  lost  about  half  of  its  croi)  by  an 
early  rain  storm  in  September,  and  the  plant  of  the  Western  Salt  Com- 
pany at  San  Diego  was  largely  washed  out  by  the  breaking  of  the 
Lower  Otay  dam  in  January.  There  were  12  plants  operating  in 
Alameda,  three  each  in  San  Bernardino  and  San  Mateo,  and  one  in  each 
of  the  other  counties  tabulated,  a  total  of  540  men  being  employed. 

Amount  and  value  of  annual  production  of  salt  in  California  from 
1887  to  date  is  shown  in  the  following  tabulation: 


Year 

Tons 

Value          j 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887  . 

28,000 
...!         30,800 
...1         21,000 

1 
$112,000     1903  . 
92,400  |[  1904  . 
63,000     1905  . 

.         102,895 

$211,365 

1888  . 

1889  - 

95.968 
77,118 

187,300 
141,925 

1890 8,729  57,085 

1891 I  20,094  90,303 

1892 23,570  104,788 

1893 50,500  213,000 

1894 49,131  140,037 

1895 53,031  150,576 

1896 64,743  153,244 

1897 67,851  157,520 

1898 93,421  170,855 

1899 82,654  149,588 

1900 ;  89,338  204,754 

1901 126,218  366,376 

1902 i  115,208  205,876 


1906 101,650  213,228 

1907 88,063  310,967 

1908 121,764  281,469 

1909 155,680  414.708 

1910 '  174,920  395,417 

1911 173,332  324,255 

1912 185,721  383,370 

1913  ._. 204,407  462.681 

1914 223,806  f83,553 

1915 169,028  368,737 

1916 186,148  455,695 

Totals 2,984,788  $7,166,122 


SODA. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII.  Bulletins 
24,  67. 

During  1916,  bicarbonate  of  soda  and  soda  ash  were  produced  by 
two  plants  in  Inyo  County,  amounting  to  10,593  tons,  valued  at  $264,825, 
as  compared  Avith  5,799  tons,  valued  at  $83,485  in  1915.  Preparations 
are  reported  being  made  to  ship  natural  sodium  sulphate  from  the 
Carrizo  Plains  in  eastern  San  Luis  Obispo  County. 

These  materials  are  used  mainly  in  glass  making,  and  the  preparation 
of  caustic  soda.  At  one  flotation  mill  in  Utah  handling  copper  ores  they 
have  found  that  the  addition  of  soda  ash  gives  a  better  froth  and 
improves  their  extraction.  A  third  plant  now  under  construction  near 
Keeler  for  manufacture  of  soda  ash  from  the  waters  of  Owens  Lake,  is 
expected  to  be  in  operation  by  August,  1917.  The  older  plants  are  also 
stated  to  be  enlarging.  Information  recently  given  to  the  State  Mining 
Bureau  would  indicate  that  there  is  a  market  for  a  materially  greater 
tonnage  of  soda  ash  than  is  at  present  obtainable  on  the  Pacific  coast. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


115 


The  total  output,  showing  amount  and  value  of  these  materials  in 
California  since  the  inception  of  the  statistical  i-ecor-ds  of  tlie  State 
Mining  Bureau,  is  given  in  the  table  which  follows : 


I- 


Tear 


•1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 


Tons 


1,530 

1.900 

3,000 

5.000 

7,000 

10,000 

1,000 

8,000 

7,000 

18,000 

12,000 

15,000 

12,000 


Value 

$20, 

47, 

65 

110, 

154 

250, 

50, 

400, 

50 

27, 

18. 

22, 

18, 


Year 


Tons 


000 
500 

000 
000 
000 
000 
000 
000 

ooo 

000 
00ft 
500 
000 


1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 


Value 


9.600 

$14,400 

7,712 

11.593 

8,125 

11.862 

9,023 

52,887 

7,200 

37,094 

1,861 

24.936 

6,522 

115,396 

5.799 

83,485 

0,593 

264,825 

116  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN. 

MINERAL  PRODUCTION  OF  CALIFORNIA  BY  COUNTIES. 

Introductory. 

The  state  of  California  includes  an  area  of  155,652  square  miles  and 
is  divided  into  fifty-eight  counties.  Some  mineral  of  commercial  value 
exists  in  every  county,  and  during  1916  active  production  was  reported 
to  the  State  Mining  Bureau  from  fifty-seven  counties  of  the  fifty- 
eight.  In  the  mountainous  portions  of  the  state  are  found  the  vein- 
forming-  minerals,  largely.  In  the  vast  desert  regions  of  southeastern 
California  ancient  lake  beds  afford  an  unlimited  supply  of  saline 
deposits.  Underlying  the  interior  valleys  of  the  central  and  southern 
portion  of  the  state  are  the  largest  pools  of  crude  oil  in  the  world. 
Building  stones  and  mineral  earths  of  all  descriptions  are  widely  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  state. 

Of  the  first  ten  counties  in  point  of  total  output  five  (Kern,  Orange, 
Fresno,  Santa  Barbara,  Los  Angeles)  owe  their  position  mainly  to 
petroleum.  Kern,  due  to  its  oil,  leads  all  the  others  by  nearly  three 
times  the  total  of  Shasta,  its  nearest  competitor.  Shasta  owes  its  rank 
to  copper,  gold,  and  zinc;  San  Bernardino,  its  place  on  account  of 
tungsten,  cement,  copper,  gold;  Inyo,  mainly  to  borax,  zinc  and  lead; 
and  the  next  five  counties,  Amador,  Nevada,  Yuba,  Calaveras,  Sacra- 
mento, mainly  to  gold.  Twenty-five  counties  have  each  a  total  in  excess 
of  a  million  dollars,  for  1916. 

The  counties  with  their  mineral  resources,  production  for  1916,  etc., 
will  be  considered  in  detail  in  this  chapter. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


117 


Value  of  California   Mineral   Production,  by  Counties,  for  1916,  Arranged  in  the  Order 

of  Their   Importance. 


County 

Value 

County 

Value 

1.    Kern      

$37,826,907 
13,639,508 
8,905,086 
8,061,193 
6,569,147  ' 
4,600,096 
4,535,029 
4,463,045 
3,811,428 
3.744,143 ' 
3,237,828 
2,965,592 
2,178,674 
1,679,111 
1,399,335 
1,356,925  j 
1,279,060  i 
1,234,252 
1,21.3,447 
1,205,.3.35 
1,135,430 
1,094,167 
1,078,.537 
1,042,629 
1,004,262  i 
947,200  1 
851,948 ; 
846,561  1 
729,497 
580,896 

31.    Mariposa    -. 

$487,971 

2.    Shasta 

32.    Sonoma         .  _ . 

472,048 

3.    Orange -  - 

33.    El  Dorado 

470,687 

4.    Fresno    .-  .      

34.    San  Joaquin  .  -    . 

468,862 

5.    San  Bernardino  .  _. 

35.    San   Diego         .    ..    .. 

397,168 

6.    Inyo     —    -    —      —    — 

:36.    Humboldt    

274,895 

7.    Santa  Barbara 

37.    Stanislaus 

253,022 

8.    Los  Angeles  _. 

38.  San  Luis  Obispo 

39.  Mono   _.           -        .      -  - 

245,807 

9.    Amador            _  .        _.     . 

240,990 

10.    Nevada        -  - 

40.    IMadera    .             . 

222,758 

11.    Tuba 

41.    Lake 

180  996 

12.    Calaveras    _-  .  _  . 

42.    Marin    ...         ... 

178,306 

13.    Sacramento    ._      

43.    San  Mateo             ..    . 

13,5,408 

14.    Santa  Cruz  ._    ..  __    __ 

44.    Monterey       

109,872 

15.    Plumas        -_ _ ' 

45.    Imperial _    . 

105,.3;33 

16.    Butte 

46.    Merced      .          .      . 

81,530 

17.    Contra    Costa    

47.    Glenn    

81,162 

18.    Riverside    _.    ..  .  _ 

48.    San   Francisco 

76,437 

19.    San  Benito 

49.    Mendocino 

55,680 

20.    Solano       

50.    Tehama 

54,3.53 

21.    Ventura     _ 

51.    Colusa         .    ..    

42,803 

22.    Alameda 

.52.    Kings 

26,788 

23.    Napa —    

53.    Lassen     .. 

9,725 

24.    Placer      

54.    Sutter 

6,4.50 

25.    Tuolumne     __  _.        

55.    Modoc   -_      . .      .-  . 

3,5,59 

26.    Tulare        

56.    Del  Norte      ..      .. 

2,432 

27.    Santa  Clara        ..    .. 

57.    Yolo 

300 

28.    Trinitv     .  -    ..    -    

58.    Alpine .. 

29     Sierra 

Total    

30.    Siskiyou    ..      .    

$127,901,610 

ALAMEDA. 

Area:  843  square  miles. 

»        Popnlation:  359,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Alameda  County,  while  in  no  sense  one  of  the  "mining  counties," 
comes  twenty-second  on  the  list  with  a  value  of  mineral  products  for 
3916  of  $1,094,167,  an  increase  from  the  1915  total,  which  was  $861,683. 
The  mineral  resources  of  this  county  include  asbestos,  brick,  chromite, 
clay,  coal,  limestone,  magnesite,  manganese,  pyrite,  salt,  soapstone,  and 
miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite   

Brick    

Clay    

Manganese   

Pyrite    

Salt   

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals*  


612  tons 

23,551  M. 

4,060  tons 

562  tons 

16,394  tons 

111,206  tons 


Total 


$7,344 

315,941 

2,750 

9,005 

65,110 

26:3,773 

403,.587 

26,657 


$1,094,167 


♦Includes  limestone,  magnesium  chloride  and  magnesite. 


118 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OP    CALIFORNIA. 


ALPINE. 
Area:  776  square  miles. 
Population:  309   (1910  census). 
Alpine  has  in  the  past  shown  a  small  production  of  gold  and  silver, 
but  dropped  out  of  the  list  of  producing  counties  in  1914. 

This  county  lies  just  south  of  Lake  Tahoe,  in  the  high  Sierra  Nevada 
range  of  mountains.  Its  area  is  776  square  miles,  containing  a  popu- 
lation of  but  309  persons.  Transportation  is  by  wagon  or  mule  back, 
and  facilities  in  general  are  lacking  to  promote  development  work  of 
any  kind. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  section  are  varied  and  the  country  has 
not  yet  been  thoroughly  prospected.  Barium,  copper,  gold,  gypsum, 
lead,  limestone,  pyrite,  rose  quartz,  silver,  tourmaline,  and  zinc  have 
been  found  here  to  some  extent. 


AMADOR. 
Area:  601  square  miles. 
Population:  11,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

The  value  of  Amador  County's  mineral  production  decreased  from 
$4,063,762  in  1915  to  $3,811,428,  thus  taking  ninth  place  on  the  list  of 
counties  in  the  state  as  regards  total  value  of  mineral  substances 
marketed.  The  feature  of  the  decrease  was  the  drop  in  gold  yield,  due 
mainly  to  a  six- weeks'  strike  on  the  Mother  Lode. 

Although  having  an  output  consisting  of  10  different  minerals,  the 
leading  product,  gold,  makes  up  over  96%  of  the  entire  total.  Amador 
led  the  state  in  gold  production  in  1915,  but  was  slightly  exceeded  in 
1916  b}'-  Nevada  County. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  county,  in  the  main,  include  asbestos, 
brick,  chromite,  clay,  coal,  copper,  gold,  lime,  quartz  crystals,  glass- 
sand,  sandstone,  silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite  

Clay    

Copper    

Gold    

Silica    

Silver  

Soapstone  and  talc 
Stono,  miscellaneous 
Otlicr  minerals* 


Total 


300  tons 
29,246  tons 
12,349  lbs. 


4,341  tons 
495  tons 


$3,7CO 

31,106 

3,038 

3,660,550 

12,802 

18,705 

2,475 

1,300 

77,752 

$3,811,428 


'Includes  brick,  coal,  lime,  manganese  and  sandstone. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


119 


BUTTE. 

Area:  1,722  square  miles. 

Population:  31,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  North  central  portion  of  state, 
Butte,  sixteenth  county  in  California  in  regard  to  the  value  of  its 
lineral  output,  reported  a  commercial  production  of  eight  mineral 
ibstances,  having  a  total  value  of  $1,356,925,  as  compared  with 
[,622,245  for  1915.  As  will  be  noted  in  the  following  tabulation, 
gold  is  by  far  the  most  important  item.  Butte  stands  sixth  among  the 
gold-producing  counties  of  the  state.  Among  the  mineral  resources  of 
this  section  are  asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  gems,  gold,  limestone, 
marble,  mineral  Avater,  platinum  minerals,  silver,  and  miscellaneous 
stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Iphroiriite            _  .      _      _ _  _  _ 

1,451  tons 

$13,940 
357 

^ems        --     _  -  -          _    .-  _             

Gold    --    .     

1,2.57,231 

Mineral  water    _____                  ._        __  _      _    

3,150  gals. 
76  ounces 

1,125 

Platinum            _      _  _        _          _        _        _         _  . 

3,472 

Silver                           _    __       

3,332 

Stone,  miscellaneous     _      -             _    _. 

67,892 

Other  minerals     __      __._      .        .___        

9,576 

Total         .„         

$1,356,925 

CALAVERAS. 

Area:  1,027  square  miles. 

Pop^ilation:  9,171  (1910  census.) 

Location:  East  central  portion  of  state — Mother  Lode  district. 

Calaveras  County  reported  production  of  9  different  minerals,  valued 
at  $2,965,592,  during  the  year  1916,  as  compared  Avith  the  1915  output 
worth  $2,161,893.  Gold,  copper  and  silver  are  the  chief  mineral  sub- 
stances produced.  In  regard  to  total  value  of  mineral  output  Calavera.s 
stands  twelfth  among  the  counties  of  the  state ;  it  is  fifth  in  gold,  second 
in  copper,  and  third  in  silver. 

The  principal  mineral  resources  developed  and  undeveloped  are-: 
Asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  fuller's  earth,  gold,  graphite, 
limestone,  magnesite,  marble,  mineral  paint,  mineral  water,  platinum 
minerals,  pyrite,  quartz  crystals,  silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous 
stone. 


120  MINERAL    INDTTRTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


I 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Chromite _  .    .  -    -_    __    

1,636  tons 
6,099,509  lbs. 

$12,570 
1,500,479 

Copper  _. .         -  _    -_ - - 

Gold    ---    - 

1,356,120 

Lead   -              _  _         -  _ 

7,238  lbs. 
18,255  gals. 
54  ounces 

499 

Mineral   water       _.  -  .        __      .           _        

7,025 

Platinum . ..      __          _  _  __      

2,453 

Silver     ..    ..___.. 

83,643 

Stone,  naiscellaneous _ 

2,503 

Other  minerals .     -        .      _      ._.___ 

300 

Total      .          .    . 

$2,965,592 

COLUSA. 

Area:  1,140  square  miles. 

Population:  7,882  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Sacramento  Valley. 

Colusa  County  lies  largely  in  the  basin  of  the  Sacramento  Valley. 
Its  western  border,  however,  rises  into  the  foothills  of  the  Coast  Range 
of  mountains,  and  its  mineral  resources — to  a  great  extent  undeveloped 
— include  coal,  chromite,  copper,  gyp.sum,  manganese,  mineral  water, 
pyrite,  quicksilver,  sandstone,  miscellaneous  stone,  sulphur,  and  in  some 
places  traces  of  gold  and  silver. 

The  value  of  the  1916  production  was  $42,803,  an  increase  from  the 
1915  figures  of  $16,003,  giving  it  fifty-first  place. 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Quicksilver         _.        _      . 

285  flasks 

$26,648 

Stone,   miscellaneous    .- .-      _  _.  _ 

550 

(>tlier  minerals*        _  . 

15,605 

Total    

$42,803 

*Includes  mineral  paint,   mineral  water  and  sandstone. 

CONTRA  COSTA. 
Area:  714  square  miles. 

Population :  52,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Contra  Costa,  like  Alameda  County,  lies  off  the  eastern  shores  of  San 
Francisco  Bay,  and  is  not  commonly  considered  among  the  mineral- 
producing  counties  of  the  state.     It  stands  seventeenth  on  the  list  in 


I 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


121 


I 


this  respect,  however,  with  an  output  valued  at  $1,279,060  for  the 
calendar  year  1916.  Various  structural  materials  make  up  the  chief 
items,  including  brick,  cement,  limestone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 
Among  the  others  are  asbestos,  clay,  coal,  gypsum,  manganese,  mineral 
water  and  soapstone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Brick 16,672  M.  $148,730 

Mineral  water  351,724  gals,  j  6,154 

Stone,  miscellaneous  363,753 

Other  minerals*  760,423 

\        Total    $1,279,060 

♦Includes  cement,  clay,   coal  and  limestone. 

DEL  NORTE. 

Area:  1,024  square  miles. 

Popul-ation:  2,417  (1910  census). 

Location:  Extreme  northwest  corner  of  state. 

Transportation:  Wagon  and  mule  back;  steamer  from   Crescent 
City. 

Del  Norte  rivals  Alpine  County  in  regard  to  inaccessibility.  Like 
the  latter  county  also,  given  transportation  and  kindred  facilities,  this 
portion  of  the  state  presents  a  wide  field  for  development  along  mining 
lines  especially.  Its  chief  mineral  resources,  largely  untouched,  are 
chromite,  copper,  gems,  gold,  graphite,  iron,  platinum  minerals,  silver, 
and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916,  giving  it  fifty-sixth  place,  was  as 
follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

fiold 

5^05 
73 

Platinum   ..  ._      _         __      __          _        ___. 

2  ounces 

Silver  ._        __  _    .           _ .    _        _     . 

2 

Stone,   miscellaneous     __  .-         _      _         _    _  .      .    _.i _    ___ 

1,685 

Other  minerals*  _    .  .         .      _      . 

267 

Total      ..          

$2,432 

'Includes  chromite  and  copper. 


122  MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 

EL  DORADO. 

Area:  1,753  square  miles. 

Population:  8,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  East  central  portion  of  the  state;  northernmost  of  the 
Mother  Lode  counties. 

El  Dorado  County,  which  contains  the  locality  where  gold  in  -Cali- 
fornia was  first  heralded  to  the  world,  comes  thirty-third  on  the  list 
of  counties  ranked  according  to  the  value  of  their  total  mineral  produc- 
tion during  the  year  1916.  In  addition  to  the  segregated  figures  here 
given,  a  large  tonnage  of  limestone  is  annually  shipped  from  El  Dorado 
for  use  in  cement  manufacture,  and  whose  value  is  included  in  the  state 
total  for  cement. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  section,  many  of  them  undeveloped, 
include  asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  gems,  gold,  iron, 
molybdenum,  limestone,  quartz  crystals,  quicksilver,  glass-sand,  slate, 
soapstone,  silver  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Ohromite     . _. ._  . 

5,260  tons 

$72,560 

361,821 

19,613 

Gold    

Lime  and  limestone      ..  .    _  --.    .    _  _  

Silica    

886  tons 

1  717 

Silver   

1,496 

Stone,  miscellaneous        .__    _        .    ._  .      .      

12.000 

Other  minerals*    _-  ...    ._  . _    . 

1,480 

Total    . 

$470,687 

♦Includes    copper   and    soapstone. 

FRESNO. 
Area:  5,950  square  miles. 

Population:  120,000  (estimate  of  Board  of  Supervisors,  1914). 
Location:  South  central  portion  of  state. 

Fresno  County,  fourth  in  importance  as  a  mineral  producer  among 
the  counties  of  California,  reported  an  output  for  1916  of  thirteen 
mineral  substances,  with  a  total  value  of  $8,061,193,  an  increase  over 
the  reported  1915  production,  which  was  worth  $8,152,300.  The  great 
bulk  of  the  above  value  is  derived  from  the  petroleum  production  of  the 
Coalinga  field. 

The  mineral  resource.s  of  this  county  are  many,  and,  aside  from 
crude  oil,  are  far  from  being  fully  developed.  They  include  asbestos, 
barytes,  brick,  chromite,  copper,  gems,  gold,  graphite,  gypsum,  iron, 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL    PRODUCTION. 


123 


jiiagnesitc,  natural  gas,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  silver,  and  miscellaneous 
stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite   9,C60  tons 

Copper !        29,173  lbs. 

Gold i 

Granite   11,000  cu.ft. 

Lead    668  lbs. 

Magnesite   5,829  tons 

Natural  gas 2,346,917  M.  cu.  ft 

Petroleum   14,594,246  bbls. 

Silver    ' 

Stone,  miscellaneous  

Other  minerals* ' 

Total    ! 


$151,824 

7,177 

693 

25,000 

46 

49,082 

163,941 

7,530,631 

69 

95,830 

36,900 


18,061,193 


*Inclucle.s  brick,   fuller's   eaith   and  mineral  water. 

•  GLENN. 
Area:  1,259  square  miles. 
Population:  7,172  (1910  census). 
Glenn  County,  standing  forty-seventh,  owes  its  position  among  the 
mineral-producing  counties  of  the  state  mainly  to  the  presence  of  large 
deposits  of  sand  and  gravel  which  are  annually  worked,  the  product 
being  used  for  railroad  ballast,  etc.     In  the  foothills  in  the  western 
portion  of  the  county,  deposits  of  chromite,  copper,  manganese,  sand- 
stone, and  soapstone  have  been  found. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


r 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals  


$41,180 
39,982 


Total 


$81,162 


HUMBOLDT. 

Area:  3,634  square  miles. 

Population:  37,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:   Northwestern    portion    of   state,    bordering   on   Pacific 
Ocean. 

Humboldt  County  is  almost  entirely  mountainous,  transportation 
within  its  limits  being  very  largely  by  wagon  road  and  trail,  and  until 
recent  years  was  reached   from   the  outside  world  by  steamer  only. 


124 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CAIJFORNIJ 


The  county  is  rich  in  mineral  resources,  among  which  are  brick, 
chromite,  coal,  claj^  copper,  gold,  iron,  mineral  water,  natural  gas, 
petroleum,  platinum,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Nine  mineral  substances,  as  shown  by  the  table  given  below,  having  a 
total  value  of  $274,895,  were  produced  in  1916,  as  compared  with  the 
1915  output,  worth  $358,686,  the  principal  item  being  due  to  the  large 
amount  of  stone  being  used  on  the  Eureka  Harbor  breakwater.  Hum- 
boldt ranks  thirty-sixth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  for  the  year. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Gold        .  .     _     -  -            -- 

$21,279 
750 

Mineral  water  _.        .  ._    -  ._ 

3,000  gals. 
7  ounces 

Platinum -      .  _ 

296 

Silver  ..    .  _    

55 

Stone,  miscellaneous .. 

60,260 

Other  minerals*  -. . 

192,255 

Total    ^-... 

$274,895 

♦Includes  brick,   clay,   granite  and   natural   gas. 

IMPERIAL. 
Area:  4,089  square  miles. 

Population:  50,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914), 
Location :  Extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  state. 
During  1916  Imperial  County  produced  eight  mineral  substances 
having  a  total  value  of  $105,333,  as  compared  with  the  1915  output, 
worth  $77,433.  Its  rank  is  forty-fifth.  This  county  contains  large 
undeveloped  deposits  of  gold,  gypsum,  lead,  marble,  pumice,  salt,  and 
silver. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Gold     .. 

$23,a38 
155 

Silver _.      _._    . 

Stone,  miscellaneous  ..            .  -  _       __-_._. 

34,834 

Other  minerals*    

47,006 

Total    

$10.5,3^3 

♦Includes  brick,   copper,   lead,   pumice   and   strontium. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


125 


I 


INYO. 

Area:  10,019  square  miles. 

Population:  7,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  Lies  on  eastern  border  of  state,  north  of  San  Bernar- 
dino County. 

Inyo,  the  second  largest  county  in  the  state,  and  containing  less  than 
one  inhabitant  per  square  mile,  is  extremely  interesting  from  a  mineral- 
ogical  point  of  view.  It  is  noted  because  of  the  fact  that  within  its 
borders  are  located  botli  the  highest  point.  Mount  Whitney  (elevation 
14,502  feet),  and  the  lowest  point.  Death  Valley  (elevation  290  feet 
below  sea  level),  in  the  United  States.  In  the  higher  mountainous 
sections  are  found  many  vein-forming  minerals,  and  in  the  lake  beds 
of  Death  Valley  saline  deposits  exist. 

Inj'o's  mineral  production  during  tlie  year  1916  reached  a  value  of 
$4,600,090,  the  county  standing  sixth  among  the  counties  of  the  state 
in  this  respect,  its  advance  from  1915  being  due  to  increases  in  value 
of  borax,  lead,  silver,  tungsten  and  zinc.  Its  mineral  resources  include 
antimoii}^,  asbestos,  barytes,  bismuth,  borax,  copper,  gems,  gold, 
gypsum,  lead,  magnesite,  marble,  molybdenum,  mineral  water,  nitre, 
platinum,  pumice,  quicksilver,  salt,  silver,  soda,  sulphur,  talc,  tungsten, 
and  zinc. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Copper _- -      _-    -_      .-_--_           _  _  - 

274,032  lbs. 
3,596  tons 

$67,412 
14  700 

Dolomite   _.__-         _-         ._         -__ 

Gold    

131,722 

Lead   ._    . .    ..    .-  _ .  . 

11,185,321  lbs. 

771  787 

Silver  

232,441 

Soda     —    -      -  - 

10,593  tons 

264  825 

Stone,  miscellaneous ._  _  _      _  . 

23,040 

Tale _-_ _. 

658  tons 
5,758,703  lbs. 

4,606 

Zinc -_       .  .      .    _  . 

771,666 

Other  minerals* ._       __  _      _      

2,317,897 

Total    ...        .         ...    . 

$4,600,096 

♦Includes  antimony,   borax,   gypsum,   marble,   molybdenum,   salt  and   tungsten. 


126 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


KERN. 
Area:  8,003  square  miles. 

Population:  50,000  (estimate  by  Board  of  Supervisors). 
Location:  South  central  portion  of  state. 
Kern  County,  because  of  its  immense,  productive  oil  fields,  stands 
pre-eminent  among  all  counties  of  California  in  the  value  of  its  min- 
eral output,  the  exact  figures  for  1916  being  $37,826,907.  This  is 
larger  by  more  than  twenty-four  million  dollars  than  the  succeeding 
county  on  the  list.  This  figure  also  exceeds  the  value  of  the  total  gold 
output  of  the  entire  state  by  approximately  $16,500,000.  The  1915 
mineral  output  for  the  county  was  worth  $25,335,184. 

Among  the  mineral  resources,  developed  and  undeveloped,  of  this 
section  are:  Antimony,  asbestos,  asphalt,  barytes,  borax,  brick,  clay, 
copper,  fuller's  earth,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  mag- 
nesite,  marble,  mineral  paint,  natural  gas,  petroleum,  potash,  salt, 
silver,  soapstone,  soda,  sulphur,  and  tungsten. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Antimony  _  ..  . _.        -    

145  tons 
3,177  M. 
24,754  lbs. 

$5,880 

2;],824 

6,089 

747,042 

Brick           _-.      .... 

Copper --    - -- 

Gold    

Lead            -  - .-    - 

24,274  lbs. 

1,675 

Lime  and  limestone ._    

30,047 

Natural  gas      _.    _.    . 

16,679,658  M.  cu.  ft. 
54,120,509  bbls. 
4,100  tons 

1,379,033 

Petroleum .. .. 

34,691,246 

Silica     

23,700 

Silver    

8,745 

Stone,  miscellaneous          .      ._  .    .. 

63,723 

Tungsten  concentrates  ._  .  _  .      _  .    _. 

193  tons 

482,387 

Other  minerals*  

363,516 

Total    

$37,826,907 

i 


♦Includes  cement,  clay,  feldspar,  fuller's  earth,  magnesite,  quicksilver  and  salt. 

KINGS. 

.    Area:  1,159  square  miles. 

Population:  23,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  South  central  portion  of  state. 

Little  development  has  taken  place  in  Kings  County  along  mineral 
lines  to  date.  Deposits  of  fuller's  earth,  gypsum,  mineral  paint,  nat- 
ural gas,  and  quicksilver,  of  undetermined  extent,  have  been  found  in 
the  county.     Some  drilling  for  oil  is  under  way. 


STATISTICS   OP    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


127 


In  fifty-second  place,  comniorcial  production  for  1916   was  as  fol- 
lows: 


Siibstiuice 


Anioiiiit 


Valua 


Natural  gas  

Other  minerals 

Total    


258  M.ou.ft. 


$608 
26,180 


$26,788 


LAKE. 
Area:  1,278  square  miles. 
Foundation:  5,600  (estimate  ])y  Chamber  of  Commerce,  191-1). 

Location:  About  fifty  miles  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay  and  the 
same  distance  inland  from  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

On  account  of  its  topography  and  natural  beauties,  Lake  County  is 
sometimes  referred  to  as  the  Switzerland  of  America.  The  mineral 
resources  which  exist  here  are  many  and  varied,  actual  production 
being  comparatively  small,  as  shown  hy  the  table  below.  Some  of  the 
leading  minerals  found  in  this  section,  in  part  as  yet  undeveloped,  are 
borax,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  mineral  water,  quick- 
silver, silver,  and  sulphur. 

In  forty-first  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Valua 


Chromite    

Mineral    Avater    

Quicksilver    

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals   


Total 


871  tons 
195,650  gals. 
1,139  flasks 


$15,070 

54,160 

106,496 

4,500 

770 


$180,996 


LASSEN. 

Area:  4,531  square  miles. 

Population:  7,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  Northeast  portion  of  state. 

Lassen  County  is  one  of  the  little  explored  sections  of  California. 
Since  about  1912  a  railroad  traversing  the  county  north  and  south  has 
been  in  operation,  thus  affording  opportunity  for  development  along 
mineral  and  other  lines. 

Among  the  mineral  resources  of  this  county  are  copper,  gems, 
gypsum,  gold,  silver,  and  sulphur. 


128  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA, 

In  fifty-third  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Stone,  miscellaneous 


$9,725 


LOS  ANGELES. 
Area:  4,067  square  miles. 
Populaiion:  800,000  (estimate  by  Cham])er  of  Commerce,  1913). 

Mineral  production  iti  Los  Angeles  County  for  the  year  1916 
amounted  in  value  to  $4,463,045,  as  compared  with  the  1915  output, 
worth  $4,168,612.  This  county  ranks  eighth  in  the  state  as  a  mineral 
producer,  this  year. 

Its  output  of  brick  was  over  a  half-million  dollars,  and  that  of 
petroleum  amounted  nearly  to  two  million  dollars.  Among  its  mineral 
resources  may  be  noted  asphalt,  barytes,  borax,  brick,  clay,  fuller's 
earth,  gems,  gold,  graphite,  gypsum,  infusorial  earth,  limestone,  marble, 
mineral  paint,  mineral  water,  natural  gas,  petroleum,  salt,  glass-sand, 
sandstone,  serpentine,  silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone.  Some 
potash  is  obtained  from  kelp. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Brick  -      .     _  -        .- -  —  . 

82,005  M. 
6,233  tons 

$760,912 

Clay    

10,549 

Gems        _    -          _        ._  _           

600 

Mineral  water  _, . .           

320,700  gals. 

2,083,664  M.  cu.  ft. 

2,875,468  bbls. 

1,864  tons 

612  tons 

8,552 

Natural  gas    -  .  _  . .. 

139,522 

Petroleum    ..               _      _.  _  .     . 

1,871,930 

Potash        - - -.    

324,769 

Silica    -  .-         --                                      

1,684 

Stone,   miscellaneous   .-  .              ..  - - 

971,153 

Other  minerals* 

373,374 

Total    -_      —    --    .-    

$4,463,045 

♦Includes  borax,  copper,  graphite  and  salt. 

MADERA. 
Area:  2,112  square  miles. 

Population:  12,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  East  central  portion  of  state. 
Madera  County  produced  five  mineral  substances  during  the  year 
1916,  having  a  total  value  of  $222,758,  as  compared  with  the  1915  out- 
put, worth  $145,063.     This  county  contains  deposits  of  copper,  gold, 
iron,  lead,  molybdenum,  pumice,  silver,  and  building  stone. 


STATISTICS  OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION,  129 

In  fortieth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Copper    124,286  lbs. 

Gold    ! 

Granite    128,865  cu.  f t 

Silver  , 

Stone,  miscellaneous 

Total 


Value 

$30,574 
10,306 

172,191 
1,772 
7,915 


$222,758 


MARIN. 
Area:  529  square  miles. 

Population:  28,400  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Adjoins  San  Francisco  on  the  north.  . 
Mineral  production  in  Marin  County  during  the  year  1916  reached 
a  value  of  $178,306,  as  compared  to  the  1915  output,  worth  $160,528. 
This  county  is  not  especially  prolific  in  minerals,  although  among  its 
resources  along  these  lines  are  brick,  gems,  manganese,  mineral  water, 
soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In  forty-second  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was : 


Substance 


Amount 


Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 

Total    


Value 


$104,306 
74,000 


$178,306 


East  cen- 


♦Includes  brick  and  mineral  water. 

MARIPOSA. 
Area:  1,463  square  miles. 
Population:  3,956  (1910  census). 

Location:  Most  southerly  of  the  Mother  Lode  counties 
tral  portion  of  state. 

Mariposa  County  is  one  of  the  distinctly 
state,  although  it  stands  but  thirty-first  on  the  list  of  counties  in  regard 
to  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1916,  with  a  total  of  $487,971, 
as  compared  with  the  1915  figures  of  $412,326.  The  increase  is  due  to 
gold. 

Its  mineral  resources  are  varied;  among  the  more  important  items 
being  barytes,  copper,  gems,  gold,  lead,  marble,  silver,  slate,  soapstone, 
and  miscellaneous  stone. 


"mining"  counties  of  the 


9—31821 


130  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA, 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


SuhsUace 

Amount 

Value 

Copper                       _-_                    __-- 

162,318  lbs. 

^39,930 

Gold      ...    --.     .-     .  . 

401,718 

Lead          -  __          _  _                  _          _ 

1,857  lbs. 

128 

Silver   ._  _  .  _.                .-        .     .. 

2,680 

Stone,  miscellaneous  ______ 

39,372 

Other  iiiiuci'als     ___        _          _        .          .___ 

4,143 

Total    

!f487,971 

MENDOCINO. 
Area:  3,453  square  miles. 
Population:  27,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  Joins  Humboldt  County  on  the  soutli  and  bounded  by 
the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  west. 

Mendocino's  annual  mineral  production  is  small,  the  1916  output 
being  valued  at  $55,680,  ranking  it  forty-ninth  among  the  counties. 
That  of  1915  was  worth  .^24,536.     The  increase  is  due  to  manganese. 

Depo.sits  of  undetermined  value,  of  asbestos,  ehromite,  coal,  copper, 
graphite,  magnesite,  and  mineral  water  have  been  found,  as  well  as 
traces  of  gold  and  silver.  For  the  coming  year  there  are  good  pros- 
pects for  a  continued  commei'cial  yield  of  manganese  ore. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Magnesite ..  _    __ 

300  tons 
l,7a5  tons 

$2,400 

Manganese _    _. 

43,005 

Stone,  miscellaneous        .      _                                _                  __ 

8,27.'") 

Otlier  minerals _ 

2,000 

Total    

$55,680 

MERCED. 

Area:  1,995  square  miles. 

Population:  20,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  About  the  geographical  center  of  the  state. 
Merced  County  as  a  whole  lies  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley,  and  it 
figures  as  one  of  the  lesser  mineral-producing  counties  of  the  state. 
The  1916  mineral  output  Avas  valued  at  $81,530.  Gold,  platinum  and 
silver,  obtained  by  dredging,  are  among  the  important  items.  Copper 
and  crushed  rock  have  also  been  commercially  produced.     Undeveloped 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


131 


deposits  of  antimony,  inagnesite,  quicksilver,  and  limestone  have  been 
noted  in  this  connty,  in  addition  to  the  foregoing. 

In   forty-sixth   place,    commercial   production   during   1916   was   as 
follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Magncsito   ._      -. _  _  -                  .        ... 

90  tons 

$72(1 

Other  minerals*  _.  _  - 

80,810 

Total 

$81,530 

♦Includes    gold,    platinum   and    silver. 

MODOC. 

Area:  3,823  square  miles. 
Population:  6,191  (1910  census). 
Location:  The  extreme  northeast  corner  of  the  state. 
Modoc   County,   like  Lassen,   has   only  recently  had  the  benefit  of 
communication   with   the   outside   world   by    rail.     Among   its   known 
mineral   resources   are :  Clay,    coal,   gold,   iron,   quicksilver,   salt,   and 
silver. 

In  fifty-fifth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Gold     

Silver   

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals  

Total    


$2,729 

90 

200 

540 


$3,559 


MONO. 

Area:  3,030  square  miles. 

Population:  2,100  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  Is  bordered  by  the  state  of  Nevada  on  the  east  and  is 

about  in  the  central  portion  of  the  state  measured  on  a  north 

and  south  line. 

Gold  mining  has  been  carried  on  in  portions  of  Mono  County  for 
many  years,  although  taken  as  a  whole  it  lies  in  a  rather  inaccessible 
country  and  has  been  but  superficially  explored.  It  is  in  the  continu- 
ation of  the  highly  mineralized  belt  which  was  noted  in  Inyo  County 
and  contains  among  other  mineral  resources  barytes,  bismuth,  clay, 
copper,  gold,  gj^psum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  molybdenum,  pumice,  salt, 
silver,  and  travertine. 


132  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

In  thirty-ninth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Gold   

$237,084 

Silver 

3,606 

Other  minerals  _..      

300 

Total    

$240,990 

MONTEREY. 
Area:  3,330  square  miles. 
Population:  25,250  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:   "West   central   portion   of  state,   bordering   on   Pacific 
Ocean. 

Monterey  County  produced  eight  mineral  substances  during  the  year 
1916,  having  a  total  value  of  $109,872,  as  compared  with  the  1915 
output  M^orth  $84,986.  Its  mineral  resources  include  brick,  clay,  cop- 
per, coal,  feldspar,  fuller's  earth,  gold,  silver,  gypsum,  infusorial  earth, 
limestone,  mineral  water,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  glass-sand,  sandstone, 
silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In  forty-fourth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as 
follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Mineral  water _ 

5,900  gals. 

$590 

Stone,  miscellaneous      .-  

58,623 

Other  minerals* , 

50,659 

Total 

$109,872 

•Includes  barytes,  feldspar,  infusorial  earth,  quicksilver,  salt  and  silica. 

NAPA. 

Area:  783  square  miles. 

Population:  26,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  Directly  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay — one  of  the  ''bay 
counties." 

Napa,  because  of  its  production  of  structural  and  industrial  mate- 
rials and  quicksilver,  stands  twenty-third  on  the  list  of  mineral- 
producing  counties  in  California.  Its  mineral  resources  include 
asbestos,  barytes,  copper,  cement,  gj'psum,  magnesite,  mineral  water, 
quicksilver,  sandstone,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


133 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite   

"Granite"  (tuflf) 
Magnesite 


715  tons 
119,500  cu.ft. 
13.960  tons 

Mineral  water  ;   152,764  gals. 

Quicksilver  1,150  flasks 

Stone,  raiscellaneons  j 

Other  minerals  


Total 


$11,5.59 

5,  .500 

108,556 

93,370 
107,525 

88,441 
663,586 


$1,078,537 


NEVADA. 
Area:  974  square  miles. 

Population:  15,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  North  of  Lake  Tahoe,  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  state. 

Nevada,  one  of  the  mountain  counties  of  California,  led  all  others  in 

its  gold  output  for  1915.     Nevada  County  stands  tenth  on  the  list  in 

regard   to   the   value   of   its   total   mineral   output,   with   a   figure   of 

$3,744,143,  as  compared  with  the  1915  production  worth  $3,492,946. 

While  this  county  actually  produces  little  else  in  the  mineral  line 
aside  from  gold  and  silver,  its  resources  cover  a  wide  scope,  including 
antimony,  asbestos,  barytes,  bismuth,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  gems,  iron, 
lead,  mineral  paint,  pyrite,  soapstone,  and  tungsten. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Chromite 
Copper    . 

Gold    

Granite   . 

Lead    

Silver   


981  tons 
3,487  lbs. 


100  cu.  ft. 
1,036  lbs. 


Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


Total 


Value 


$12,795 

858 

3,669,878 

100 

71 

35,741 

1,225 

23,475 


$3,744,143 


•Includes  manganese,  platinum  and  tungsten. 

ORANGE. 

Area:  795  square  miles. 

Population:  56,500  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  Southwestern  portion  of  state,  bordering  Pacific  Ocean. 

Orange  County  is  one  of  the  many  in  California  which  on  casual 
inspection  appears  to  be  anything  but  a  mineral-producing  section.     It 


134 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


stands,  however,  as  the  third  county  in  the  state  in  regard  to  the  total 
value  of  mineral  output,  its  highly  productive  oil  fields  making  such  a 
condition  possible. 

This  county  shows  a  gain  in  191G,  with  a  total  value  of  mineral 
products  of  $8,905,086,  from  the  1915  output,  worth  $6,617,112. 

Aside  from  the  substances  actually  produced  and  noted  in  the  table 
below,  coal,  gypsum,  iron,  infusorial  earth,  sand.stone,  and  tourmaline 
have  been  found  in  Orange  Count.y. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Brick                                              -           

1,186  M. 
2,278,922  M.  cu.  ft. 
13,198,591  bbls. 

$8,300 

Natural  gas      --           -        

139,281 

Petroleum                                   _    _      .  _             .      

8,750,666 

Stnno    misfollanoous                                                      _.  - 

3,773 

Other  minerals                                                   

3,066 

.    Total         .          -       -  -      

$8,905,086 

PLACER 
Area:  1,395  square  miles. 
Population:  18,237  (1910  census). 

Location:  Eastern  border  of  state  directly  west  of  Lake  Tahoc. 
While  standing  only  twenty-fourth  on  the  list  of  mineral-producing 
counties.  Placer  contains  a  wide  variety  of  mineral  substances  which 
have  never  been  commercially  exploited.  Its  leading  products  are  gold, 
granite,  copper,  and  clay.  Other  mineral  resources,  some  of  them 
undeveloped,  are:  Asbestos,  brick,  chromite,  coal,  gems,  iron,  lead, 
limestone,  magnesite,  manganese,  marble,  quartz  crystals,  glass-sand, 
silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Suljstance 


Chromite   

Brick  

Clay  (pottery)  

Copper    

Gold    

Granite   

Silver  

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


Amount 


Value 


774  tons 
2,540  M. 
29,018  tons 
1,437,441  lbs. 


Total 


$11,95 
79,000" 
36,230 
353,610 
428,400 
80,931 
24,928 
17.026 
10,.548 


$1,042,629 


♦Includes   limestone,    lead   and   magnesite. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAIi   PRODUCTION. 


135 


PLUMAS. 
r        Area:  2,594  square  miles. 

Population:  5,259  (1910  census). 
i  Location:  Northeastern  border  of  state,  south  of  Lassen. 
'  A  considerable  portion  of  the  area  of  Plumas  County  lies  in  the  high 
mountains,  and  deposits  of  the  metals,  especiallj^  gold  and  copper,  are 
found  there.  Lack  of  transportation  and  other  facilities  have  retarded 
its  growth,  but  its  future  is  decidedly  promising.  Mineral  production 
for  1916  was  valued  at  $1,399,335,  as  compared  with  the  1915  output, 
wortli  $745,515,  the  increase  being  largely  due  to  copper. 

Among  its  mineral  resources  are :  Chromite,  copper,  gold,  granite, 
iron,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  platinum  minerals,  silver,  tungsten, 
and  zinc. 

In  fifteenth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


[Copper    

JGold    

'.Silvor  

Stono,  miscellaneous 
Otiier  minerals* 


Total 


Amount 


Value 


4,932,928  lbs. 


$1,213,500 

133,385 

46,.542 

1,988 

3,920 


$1,399,335 


♦Includes   chromite,   granite  and  molj'bdenum. 

RIVERSIDE. 

Area:  7,240  square  miles. 

Population:  45,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  Southern  portion  of  state. 
Riverside  is  the  fourth  county  in  the  state  in  size  and  the  eighteenth 
in  regard  to  the  total  value  of  mineral  output  for  1916.  Within  its 
borders  are  included  mountain,  desert,  and  agricultural  land.  Its 
mineral  resources  include  metals,  structural  and  industrial  materials, 
and  salines,  some  of  the  more  important  being  asbestos,  borax,  brick, 
cement,  clay,  coal,  copper,  feldspar,  gems,  gold,  graphite,  gypsum,  iron, 
lead,  limestone,  manganese,  magnesite,  marble,  mineral  j^aint,  mineral 
water,  nitre,  salt,  glass-sand,  soapstone,  silver,  miscellaneous  stone,  and 
tin. 


136  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Brick    1,831  M. 

Clay  (pottery)  56,228  tons 

Copper    58,617  lbs. 

Gold 

Granite   8,660  cu.  ft 

Gypsum  4,220  tons 

Load    350  lbs. 

Silica    :         901  tons 

Silver  

Stone,  miscellaneous  

Other  minerals*  

Total    . 


$28,593 

56,090 

14.420 

7,855 

4,890 

8,340 

24 

1,642 

338 

159,555 

952,505 


$1,234,252 


♦Includes  cement,  feldspar,  magnesite,  manganese,  mineral  water  and  potash. 

SACRAMENTO. 
Area:  983  square  miles. 

Population:  90,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1913). 
Location:  North  central  portion  of  state. 
Sacramento  stands  thirteenth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  as  a 
mineral  producer,  the  output,  principally  gold,  for  1916  being  valued 
at  $2,178,674,  a.s  compared  with  the  1915  production,  worth  $2,562,281. 
In  regard  to  gold  output  alone  this  county  ranks  fourth,  being  exceeded 
only  by  Nevada,  Amador,  and  Yuba  counties.  Its  mineral  resources 
include:  Brick,  clay,  gold,  natural  gas,  platinum,  silver,  and  miscel- 
laneous stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Brick    

8,924  M. 

$91  615 

Gold    

1,83.3,855 
16 

Lead   -.  _-    -  .- 

227  lbs. 
195  ounces 

Platinum  __ 

8,892 

Silver  _    

3,578 

Stone,  miscellaneous ._      . - 

194,718 

Other  minerals* 

46,000 

Total    • 

$2,178,674 

•Includes  pottery  clay  and  natural  gas. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  137 

SAN  BENITO. 
Area:  1,392  square  miles. 

Population:  8,750  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 
Location:  West  central  portion  of  state. 
Although  nineteenth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  in  regard  to 
value  of  total  mineral  production,  San  Benito  leads  in  one  important 
branch  of  the  mineral  industry,  namely,  quicksilver. 

Its  other  mineral  resources,  many  of  them  undeveloped,  include: 
Antimony,  bituminous  rock,  chromite,  coal,  gypsum,  gems,  limestone, 
mineral  water,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Dolomite   8,100  tons      '  $25,515 

Quicksilver  11,110  flasks    \  1,032,156 

Stone,  miscellaneous  155,250 

Other  minerals* I  526 

I  I 

Total    J $1,213,447 

*Incln(les   antimony   and  minei-al  water. 

SAN  BERNARDINO. 

Area:  20,157  square  miles. 

Population:  53,000  (estimate  by  board  of  supervisors,  1914). 

Location:  Southeastern  portion  of  state. 
San  Bernardino,  by  far  the  largest  county  in  the  state,  ranks  fifth 
as  regards  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1916,  with  a  total  of 
$6,569,147,  as  compared  with  the  1915  total  of  $2,674,042.  The  marked 
increase  is  due  mainly  to  tungsten  and  copper,  the  well-known  Atolia 
district  contributing  the  former. 

This  county,  consisting  largely  of  mountain  and  desert  country,  is 
highly  mineralized,  a  few  of  the  more  important  mineral  resources 
being:  Asbestos,  barytes,  borax,  brick,  cement,  clay,  copper,  gems, 
gold,  gypsum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  marble,  mineral  paint, 
mineral  water,  nitre,  potash,  salt,  glass-sand,  silver,  soapstone,  soda, 
miscellaneous  stone,  strontium,  talc,  tungsten,  tuff,  vanadium,  and  zinc. 


138  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

Commorcial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Cement    i    1,036,000  bbls. 

Copper  j    1,577,901  lbs. 

Gems  ' 

Gold 


Griinitc   

Lead    

Liino   

Limestone  

Mineral   water 

Salt   

Silver   


7,500  en.  ft. 

673,801  lbs. 

1.51,670  bbls. 

6.5,174  tons 

40,500  gals. 

2,355  tons 


Stone,  miscellaneous  .- 
Tungsten  concentrates 

Zinc   

Other  minerals*  


1,921  tons 
707,062  lbs. 


$1,246,000 

388,164 

1,000 

279,813 

2,500 

46,492 

54.317 

63,486 

6,500 

13,8;?0 

67,146 

172,4.54 

3,91.5,4.34 

94,746 

217,265 


Total    i $6,569,147 


♦Inrludos  brick,    flolomitc,    feldspar,    gypsum,    manganese,    mineral   paint,    pumice, 
pi)ta.';li,   talc  and   strontium. 

SAN  DIEGO. 
Area:  4.221  square  miles. 

ropulation:  125,370   (estimate  l)y  County  Clerk,  1914). 
Location:  Extreme  southwest  corner  of  state. 
San  Diego,  finst  in  California  in  the  production  of  gem  stones,  ranks 
thirtj'-fifth  in  tlie  total  value  of  its  mineral  output.     This  figure  for 
1916  equaled  $397,168,  as  compared  to  the  1914  output  worth  .$211,129. 
Aside    from   minerals   commercially   produced,   as   shown  below,    San 
Diego  County  contains  deposits  cf  asbestos,  bismuth,  lithia,  marble, 
nickel,  soapstone,  tm,  and  tungsten.     Potash  is  produced  from  kelp. 
A  new  development  is  the  shipping  of  pebbles  for  grinding  mills. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Brick    

Clay    (pottery)    

Copper    

Gems   

Potash    

Stone,   miscellaneous 
Other  minerals*  


Total 


4,001  M. 

283  tons 
16.806  lbs. 


2,1.50  tons 


$36,842 

613 

4,134 

2,710 

175,804 

163,925 

13,140 


$397,168 


*Includes  granite,   lithia,  miner.al  water  and  salt. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


139 


SAN  FRANCISCO. 
Area:  43  square  miles. 

Population:  527,000  (estimate  by  Cliamber  of  Commerce,  1915). 
Surprising  as  it  may  appear  at  first  glance,  San  Francisco  County 
is  listed  among  the  mineral  producing  sections  of  the  state,  actual 
production  consisting  of  crushed  rock,  sand,  and  gravel.  Small  quan- 
tities of  various  valuable  mineral  substances  are  found  here,  including 
cinnabar,  gypsum,  lignite,  and  magnesite,  none,  however,  in  paying 
quantities. 

In  forty-eighth  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Stone,   miscellanoous 


$76,437 


SAN  JOAQUIN. 
Area:  1,448  square  miles. 

Population:  70,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Central  portion  of  state. 
San  Joaquin  County  reported  a  mineral  production  for  the  year 
1916  having  a  total  value  of  $468,862,  as  compared  with  the  1915 
output,  worth  $248,394.  Comparatively  few  mineral  substances  are 
found  here,  the  chief  ones  being  brick,  clay,  infusorial  earth,  manga- 
nese, natural  gas,  glass-sand,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In    thirty-fourth    place,    commercial    production    for.    1916    was    as 
follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Brick    

Manguncso    

Natural   gas   

Stone,  miscellaneous 


10,189  M. 
6,493  tons 
182,441  M.  cu.  ft. 


Total 


$158,722 

115,460 

141,605 

53,075 


$468,862 


SAN  LUIS  OBISPO. 

Area:  3,334  square  miles. 

Population:  25,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:  Bordered  by  Kern  County  on  the  east  and  the  Pacific 
Ocean  on  the  west. 

The  total  value  of  the  mineral  production  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County 
in    1916    was   $245,807,    as    compared    with   the    1915    output,    worth 


140 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 


$227,632.  Among  its  mineral  resources,  both  developed  and  unde- 
veloped, are :  Asphalt,  bituminous  rock,  brick,  ehromite,  coal,  copper, 
gold,  gypsum,  infusorial  earth,  limestone,  marble,  mineral  water,  onyx, 
petroleum,  quicksilver,  silver  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In    thirty-eighth    place,    commercial    production    for    1916    was    as 
follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Chromite   

Brick    

Copper    

Mineral  water  

Petroleum    

Quicksilver    

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


1,855  tons 
4,150  M. 

356  lbs. 
2,500  gals. 
11,670  bbls. 
1,227  flasks 


Total 


Value 


$27,733 

45,500 

88 

475 

5,252 

114,724 

49,318 

2,717 


$245,807 


♦Includes  bituminous  rock,   clay   (pottery)    and  sandstone. 

SAN  MATEO. 
Area:  447  square  miles. 

Population:  35,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Peninsula,  adjoined  by  San  Francisco  on  the  north. 
San  Mateo's  most  important  mineral  products  are  stone,  brick,  and 
salt,  the  last-named  being  derived  by  evaporation  from  the  waters  of 
San  Francisco  Bay.     The  total  value  of  all  mineral  production  during 
1916  equaled  $135,408,  as  compared  with  the  1915  figures  of  $177,891. 
Small   amounts   of  barytes,   chromite,   infusorial   earth  and   quick- 
silver have  been  discovered  in  addition  to  the  items  of  economic  value 
•noted  below. 

In  forty-third  place,  commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

yaluo 

Brick    

986  M. 
593  tons 

$38,121 

Clay   (pottery)       ..  .      .. 

732 

Gems      -_ --  -.  -    --  - 

85 

Salt  .-    - 

28,540  tons 

70,807 

Stone,  miscellaneous 

25,663 

Total    

$135,408 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


141 


SANTA  BARBARA. 
Area:  2,740  square  miles. 

Population:  32,750  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Southwestern  portion  of  state,  joining  San  Luis  Obispo 
on  the  south. 
Santa  Barbara  County  owes  its  position  as  seventh  in  the  state  in 
regard  to  its  mineral  output  to  the  presence  of  productive  oil  fields 
within  its  boundaries.  The  total  value  of  its  mineral  production  dur- 
ing the  year  1916  was  $4,535,029,  as  compared  with  the  1915  output  of 
$3,984,966.  Santa  Barbara,  in  company  with  the  other  oil  counties, 
showed  an  increase  in  petroleum  valuation  for  1916. 

Aside    from   the   mineral   substances   listed   below,    Santa   Barbara 
County  contains  asphalt,  diatomaceous  earth,  gilsonite,  gypsum,  mag- 
nesite,  and  quicksilver  in  more  or  less  abundance. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amouut 


Value 


Mineral  water  176,608  gals. 

•Natural  gas  3,660,410  M.  cu.  f t. 

Petroleum    I    4,502,206  bbls. 

Sandstone    i  3,520  cu.ft. 

Stone,   miscellaneous 

Other  minerals*  


Total 


$110,200 

724,746 

3,574,752 

1,017 

12,395 

111,919 


$4,535,029 


♦Includes  bituminous  rock,  brick,  "granite,"  diatomaceous  earth,  limestone  and 
quicksilver. 

SANTA  CLARA. 
Area:  1,328  square  miles. 

Population:  90,000  (estimate  by  board  of  supervisors,  1914). 
Location:  West  central  portion  of  state. 

Santa  Clara  County  reported  a  mineral  output  for  1916  of  $851,948 
as  compared  with  the  1915  figures  of  $635,229.  This  county,  lying 
largely  in  the  Coast  Range  of  mountains,  contains  a  wide  variety  of 
mineral  substances,  including  brick,  chromite,  clay,  limestone,  magne- 
site,  manganese,  mineral  water,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  soapstone,  and 
miscellaneous  stone.     It  stood  second  in  quicksilver  yield  for  the  year. 


142 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


In   twenty-seventh   place,   commercial   production  for   1916   was   as 
follows : 


Sutetance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite   136  tons 

Brick    ,     13,100  M. 

Clay   (pottery)    2,024  tons 

Magnesite   23,207  tons 

Mineral    water    50,000  gals. 

Petroleum   16.368  bbls. 

Quicksilver  4,016  flasks 

Stone,  miscellaneous 

Other  minerals*  


$2,028 

82,800 

2,293 

232,156 

11,300 

10,901 

375,496 

111,974 

23,000 


Total 


$851,948 


*Includes  limestone  and  manganese. 

SANTA  CRUZ. 
Area:  435  square  miles. 

Population:  30,140  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:    Bordering    Pacific    Ocean,    just    south    of    San    Mateo 
County. 

The  mineral  output  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  a  portion  of  which  is 
itemized  below,  amounted  to  a  total  value  of  $1,679,111,  giving  the 
county  a  standing  of  fourteenth  among  all  others  in  the  state  in  this 
regard,  being  an  increase  from  the  previous  year's  total. 

Among  the  mineral  resources  known  here  are  bituminous  rock, 
cement,  coal,  graphite,  gold,  lime,  limestone,  petroleum,  silver,  and 
miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Lime  

Limestone  

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals*   


176,263  bbls. 
4,318  tons 


$225,4^ 
9.82 
2,81 

1,440,99 


Total    ! $1,679,11 


♦Includes   bituminous   rock,    cement   and   marble. 

SHASTA. 

Area:  3,858  square  miles. 

Population:  19,000   (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  North  central  portion  of  state. 
Shasta    County   stands    second   in   California   among   the   mineral 
producing  counties,  with  an  output  vahied  at  $13,639,508,  as  compared 
with  the  1915  production,  worth  $8,350,133.     Not  taking  petroleui 


STATISTICS    OF    ANNtTAL    TRODUCTION. 


143 


into  account,  Shasta  leads  all  tlio  counties  by  a  wide  marfjin.  This 
county  is  first  in  copper  production,  first  in  silver,  first  in  pyrite,  first 
in  zinc,  and  seventh  in  gold.  The  Shasta  copper  belt  contains  the  most 
important  deposits  of  this  metal  yet  developed  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
and  the  present  production  could  be  further  increased  were  it  not  for 
the  conflict  between  the  agricultural  interests  and  the  smelters  regard- 
ing the  alleged  damage  done  to  crops  by  the  smelter  fumes.  The 
situation  is  showing  improvement. 

Shasta's  mineral  resources  include:  Asbestos,  barytes,  brick,  chromite, 
coal,  copper,  gold,  iron,  lead,  lime,  limestone,  mineral  water,  molyb- 
denum, pyrite,  silver,  miscellaneous  stone,  and  zinc. 

Lassen  Peak  is  located  in  southeastern  Shasta  County. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Valua 

Chroinite                           -_-___               -_ 

12,425  tons 
39,437,196  lbs. 

$181,225 

Cojiiior                             _  -  _                     --                  _        __ 

9, 701, .5.50 

Gold                                 _      -  -          -        .- 

936,885 

I^ead                                              _  _      -                     -          - 

478,560  lbs. 

33,021 

T.iino  find  lliue.stono                        _          _  _ 

57,303 

Silver                                                --            _  --                 -          - 

1,11.5,471 

Zinc            -    --                ____--_-_ 

9,4&4,800  lbs. 

1,270,963 

Sfonp    ini55oellaneons                                     _  _            __        _ 

800 

Other  minerals*        _           ._                                      -    _  _ 

342,290 

P      Total                                 -    - 

$13,639,508 

*IncluJes  asbestos,  brick,  iron  ore,  manganese,  mineral 
silica. 

water,  platinum 

,  pyrite  and 

SIERRA. 

Area:  923  square  miles. 

Population:  4,098  (1910  census). 

Location:  Eastern  border  of  state,  just  north  of  Nevada  county. 

Sierra  County  reported  a  mineral  production  of  $729,497,  consisting 

ii'mainly  of  gold  and  silver,  during  the  year  1916,  as  compared  with  the 

i  1915   output,   worth   $729,518.      Considering   gold   output   alone,   this 

county  stands  tenth ;  and  as  to  total  mineral  yield,  twenty-ninth. 

Aside    from    the    metals    itemized    below.    Sierra    County    contains 
I  deposits  of  asbestos,  chromite,  iron,  lead,  platinum  minerals,  serpentine, 
and  talc. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Gold     -            .    -    _         -    -    - 

$724,256 

Silver -             _ 

3,291 

Othoi"  minerals  _  ' 

r 

1,9.50 

Total      _- 

$729,497 

144 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA, 


SISKIYOU. 

Area:  6,256  square  miles. 

Population:  25,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  Extreme  north  central  portion  of  state,  next  Oregon 
boundary. 

Siskiyou,  fifth  county  in  California  in  regard  to  size,  located  in  a 
highly  mineralized  and  mountainous  country,  ranks  thirtieth  in  regard 
to  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1916.  Although  the  county  is 
traversed  by  a  transcontinental  railroad  in  a  north  and  south  line,  the 
mineral-bearing  sections  are  almost  without  exception  far  from  trans- 
portation and  other  facilities.  A  large  part  of  the  county  is  accessible 
by  trail  alone.  Future  development  and  exploitation  will  doubtless 
increase  the  productiveness  of  this  part  of  the  state  to  a  great  degree. 

Among  Siskiyou's  mineral  resources  are:  Chromite,  clay,  coal,  cop- 
per, gems,  gold,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  marble,  mineral  water, 
pumice,  quicksilver,  sandstone,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Chromite  .. 

2,251  tons 

$28,731 
441,307 

Gold    

Mineral  water ..    ..    _.    -.    -.    .-    ._ 

502,650  gals. 

50,530 
2,312 

Silver  -    

Stone,  miscellaneous  . 

45,407 

Other  minerals*  

12,609 

Total    ...      

$580,896 

•Includes  copper,  "granite"  (basalt),  lime,  platinum  and  sandstone. 

SOLANO. 

Area:  822  square  miles. 

Population:  31,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 
Location:  Touching  San  Francisco  Bay  on  the  northeast. 

Solano,  while  mostly  valley  land,  produced  mineral  substances  during 
the  year  1916  to  the  total  value  of  $1,205,335,  ranking  twentieth  among 
the  counties  of  the  state.  Among  her  mineral  resources  are:  Brick, 
cement,  clay,  fuller's  earth,  limestone,  mineral  water,  natural  gas, 
onyx,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  salt,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Mineral  water  .._      11,200  gals. 

Quicksilver  660  flasks 

Stone,  miscellaneous 

Other  minerals* 


$3,750 

61,710 

49,711 

1,090,164 


Total    J     $1,205,335 


♦Includes  cement,  natural  gas  and  salt. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


145 


i 


SONOMA. 
Area:  1,577  square  miles. 
Population:  48,394  (1910  census). 

Location:  South  of  Mendocino  County,  bordering  on  the  Pacific 

Ocean. 

Sonoma    ranked    thirty-second    among    the    counties    of    California 

during   the    year    1916,    with    a    mineral    production    of    $472,048,    as 

compared  with  its  1915  output  worth  $276,104.     More  paving  blocks 

are  turned  out  here  tiian  in  any  other  section  of  the  state. 

Among  Sonoma's  mineral  resources  are:  Brick,  chromite,  clay,  cop- 
per, graphite,  infusorial  earth,  magnesite,  manganese,  marble,  mineral 
paint,  mineral  water,  quicksilver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite   

Magnesite    

Mineral   water   

Quicksilver  

Stone,    miscellaneous 
other  minerals*  


Total 


243  tons 
11,653  tons 
121,366  gals. 
1,039  flasks 


$2,478 
98,280 
28,031 
97,146 
232,113 
14,000 


$472,048 


♦Includes  "granite"    (tuff),   and  mangane.se. 

STANISLAUS. 
Area:  1,450  square  miles. 

Population:  30,000  (estimate  by  Board  of  Trade,  1914). 
Location:  Center  of  state,  bounded  on  .south  by  Merced  County. 

Gold  is  the  chief  mineral  product  of  Stanislaus  County,  although 
brick,  clay,  gypsum,  iron,  manganese,  mineral  paint,  quicksilver,  and 
silver  are  found  here  to  some  extent  as  well.  This  county,  for  1916, 
ranks  thirty-seventh  in  the  state  in  regard  to  value  of  minerals,  with 
an  output  of  $253,022.  In  order  not  to  reveal  individual  business,  the 
gold,  platinum,  and  silver  yields  of  its  single  dredge  are  combined  with 
the  data  of  other  minerals. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Manganese    '    160  tons 


Mineral  paint  

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


Total 


$2,400 

2,200 

17,784 

230,638 


$253,022 


♦Includes  chromite,  brick,  gold,  platinum,  quicksilver  and  silver. 
10—31821 


146 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OP    CALIFORNIA, 


SUTTER. 

Area:  608  square  miles. 

Population:  9,375  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 
Location:  Bounded  by  Butte  County  on  the  north  and  Sacramento  i 
on  the  south. 
Sutter  is  one  of  only  two  counties  in  the  state  which  for  a  number 
of  years  reported  no  commercial  output  of  some  kind  of  mineral  sub- 
stance.    In  1916  some  crushed  rock  was  taken  out,  from  the  Marysville 
Buttes,  as  indicated  below.     Both  clay  and  coal  exist  here,  but  deposits  ; 
of  neither  mineral  have  been  placed  on  a  productive  basis. 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Stone,  miscellaneous 


$6,450 


TEHAMA. 
Area:  2,893  square  miles. 

Population:  14,575  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 
Location:  North  central  portion  of  the  state,  bounded  on  the  north 
by  Shasta. 

Tehama  stands  fiftieth  among  the  fifty-seven  mineral-producing 
counties  of  the  state.  Its  mineral  output  during  1916  was  valued  at 
$54,353,  as  compared  with  the  1915  production,  worth  $4,702.  The 
advance  is  due  mainly  to  chromite. 

Among  its  mineral  resources  are  listed :  Brick,  chromite,  copper, 
gold,  manganese,  marble,  mineral  water,  salt,  silver,  and  miscellaneous 
stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Chromite . 

1,896  tons 

$39,702 
11,076 

Stone,  miscellaneous  .. 

Other  minerals*  . -.  _ 

3,575 

Total   .- 

$54,353 

♦Includes  brick,   granite,   mineral  water  and  natural   gas. 

TRINITY. 

Area:  3,166  square  miles. 
Population:  3,301  (1910  census). 
Location:  Northwestern  portion  of  state. 
Trinity,  like  Siskiyou  County,  requires  transportation  facilities  to 
further  the  development  of  its  many  and  varied  mineral  resources. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


147 


Deposits  of  asbestos,  barytas,  ehromite,  copper,  gold,  mineral  water, 
platinum,  quicksilver,  silver,  and  building  stone  are  known  here,  but 
with  the  exception  of  gold  and  copper,  very  little  active  production  of 
these  mineral  substances  is  possible,  as  yet. 

In  twenty-eighth  place,  commercial  output  for  1916  was : 


Substance 


Amount 


Valuo 


Gold 

Platinum  j  113  ounces 

Silver  

Stone,  miscellaneous  

Other  minerals* 


Total 


$435,493 

5.161 

7,591 

1,000 

397,316 


$846,561 


♦Includes   ehromite,    copper,   manganese,   mineral   water   and   quicksilver. 

TULARE. 
Area:  4,856  square  miles. 
Population:  35,440  (1910  census). 

Location:  Bounded  by  Inyo  on  the  east,  Kern  on  the  south,  Fresno 
on  the  north. 
Tulare  stands  twenty-sixth  on  the  list  of  mineral-producing  counties, 
[er  mineral  resources,  among  others,  are :  Brick,  clay,  copper,  feldspar, 
papliite,  gems,  limestone,  magnesite,  marble,  quartz,  glass-sand,  soap- 
)ne,    miscellaneous    stone,    and    zinc.     Tulare    leads    the    state    in 
lagnesite  output,  and  to  this  is  due  her  advance  in  1916. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


Value 


Chromite  

Brick  

Hopper  

Magnesite   

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


3,435  tons 
6,330  M. 
1,422  lbs. 
87,606  tons 


$42,555 

48,500 

350 

737,130 
82,255 
36,410 


Total 


$947,200 


♦Includes  feldspar,   granite,   limestone,  marble  and  silica. 

TUOLUMNE. 
Area:  2,190  square  miles. 
Population:  9,979  (1910  census). 

Location:  East  central  portion  of  state — Mother  Lode  district. 
JTuolumne  ranks  twenty-fifth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  relative 
its  total  value  of  mineral  output.     As  a  producer  of  marble  its 
inding  is  first. 


148 


MINERAT,    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Chroniite,  clay,  copper,  ^old,  lend,  limestone,  marble,  mineral  paint, 
platinnm,  soapstone,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone,  are  among  its 
mineral  resources. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


Substance 

Amount 

Chroniite   _-.           _ _ 

285  tons 
1,797  lbs. 

Copper  ._ .  ._ 

Gold 

Load         - _.     .          -  .     .. 

878  1I)S. 
3,i;J7  tons 

Limestone     ,      ._      .  .    _._ 

Silver   _._.__          _      . 

Stone,  niiseellaneoiis  _.    _. 

Otlier  minerals*         ...     -._ 

Total    

- 

Value  i 


$4,556 
442 

8fi8,237 

60];. 

5,132  !' 
17,039  |l 
1,500  i 
107,256 


$1,004,262  ' 


♦Includes  dolomite,  lime.  mMsne.site  and  m.-iible. 

VENTURA. 

Area:  1,878  square  miles. 

Population:  21,000  (estimate  by  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1914). 

Location:    Southwestern    portion    of    state,    bordering   on    Pacific 
Ocean. 

Ventura  is  the  twenty-first  county  in  the  state  in  respect  to  the  value 
of  its  mineral  production  for  1916,  the  exact  figure  being  $1,135,430, 
as  compared  with  the  output  for  1915,  worth  $904,767. 

The  highest  gravity  petroleum  produced  in  the  state  is  found  here. 

Among  its  other  mineral  resources  are:  Asphalt,  borax,  brick,  clay, 
mineral  water,  natural  gas,  sandstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows : 


Substance 


Amount 


V.alue 


Natural  gas 

Petroleum  

Stone,  miscellaneous 
Other  minerals* 


Total 


806,540  M.  cu.  ft. 
943,499  bbls. 


j?i 

$133,867''*' 
98.5,956  ■'' 
14,20n 
1,407 


$1,135,4301 


♦Includes  brick,  clay  and  sandstone. 


I 


I 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PKODUCTION. 


149 


YOLO. 
Area:  1,014  square  miles. 

Fopulation:  15,000  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 
Location:  Sacramento  Valley,  bounded  by  Sutter  on  the  east  and 
Jolusa  on  the  north. 

The  mineral  production  from  Yolo  County  during  the  year  1916 
onsisted  only  of  miscellaneous  stone  valued  at  $300,  ranking  it  in 
fty-seventh  place.  Deposits  of  undetermined  value  of  iron  and  sand- 
tone  have  been  discovered  within  the  confines  of  this  county.  Some 
uicksilver  output  has  been  made  in  the  past,  and  may  resume. 
Commercial  production  for  1916  was  as  follows: 


1                                                           Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Itone,  miscellaneous  _ 

.$300 

1 

YUBA. 
Area:  639  square  miles. 

Population:  14,750  (estimate  by  County  Clerk,  1914). 

Location:  Lies  west  of  Sierra  and  Nevada  counties;  south  of 
Plumas. 
Yuba  is  eleventh  of  the  fifty-seven  mineral  producing  counties  of  the 
tate,  and  is  third  in  regard  to  gold  output.  Quicksilver  and  iron 
leposits  have  been  reported  in  this  county,  aside  from  the  following 
ommercial  production  as  reported  for  the  year  1916 : 


Substance 

Amount 

Value 

'opper  -. --    -- -         .         

4,817  lbs. 

$i.ia5 

fold 

3,167,723 

'latinum  .         -         -.  _ 

314  ounces 

14,301 

ilver        .  _  _    -  -    _      _  -- _ 

5,934 

•tone,  miscellaneous  _    .      - _      _ 

42,685 

►ther  minerals            -  -           -         _    _-      __ 

6,000 

Total       .      _  .    --       _    .    

$3,237,828 

150  MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER  EIGHT. 


APPENDIX. 


MINING  BUREAU  ACT. 

Chapter  679. 

[Stats.,  1913.] 

An   act  establishing  a  state   mining   bureau,  creating  the  office  of  state   mineralogist 
fixing     his    salary    and     prescribing     his    powers    and     duties;     providing    for    tl" 
employment    of    officers    and    employees    of    said    bureau,    making    It    the    duty 
persons    in    charge    of    mines,    mming    operations    and    quarries   to    make    certall 
reports,     providing     for    the     Investigation     of     mining     operations,     dealings    anl 
transactions  and   the   prosecution   for  defrauding,  sv*/indling  and   cheating  therein, 
creating  a  state  mining  bureau  fund  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  provisions    , 
of  this  act  and  repealing  an  act  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  establishment,  |* 
maintenance,  and  support  of  a   bureau,  to   be  known  as  the  state  mining  bureau,  \ 
and  for  the  appointment  and   duties  of  a   board  of  trustees,   to   be   known   as  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  who  shall   have  the  direction,  man- 
agement and  control  of  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for  the  appoint- 
ment,   duties,   and    compensation    of   a    state    mmeralogist,   who   shall    perform    the 
duties  of    his   office   under   the   control,  direction   and   supervision    of   the    board   of    j 
trustees    of    the    state    mining    bureau,"    approved    March    23,    1893,    and    all    acts  jl 
amendatory  thereof  and  supplemental  thereto  or  in  conflict  herewith.  ' 

[Approved  June  16,  1913.     In  effect  August  10,  1913.] 

The  people  of  the  state  of  California  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  1.  There  is  hereby  created  and  established  a  state  mining  bureau.  The 
chief  officer  of  such  bureau  shall  be  the  state  mineralogist,  which  office  is  hereby 
created. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  governor  of  the  state  of  California  and  he  is 
hereby  empowered  to  appoint  a  citizen  and  i-esident  of  this  state,  having  a  practical 
and  scientific  knowledge  of  mining,  to  the  office  of  state  mineralogist.  Said  state 
mineralogist  shall  hold  his  office  at  the  pleasure  of  the  governor.  He  shall  be  a  civil 
executive  officer.  He  shall  take  and  subscribe  the  same  oath  of  office  as  other 
state  officers.  He  shall  receive  for  his  services  a  salary  of  three  hundred  dollars 
($300)  per  month,  to  be  paid  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
salaries  of  other  state  officers.  He  shall  also  receive  his  necessary  traveling 
expenses  when  traveling  on  the  business  of  his  office.  He  shall  give  bond  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  duties  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000), 
said  bond  to  be  approved  by  the  governor  of  the  state  of  California. 

Sec.  3.  Said  state  mineralogist  shall  employ  competent  geologists,  field  assistants, 
qualified  specialists  and  office  employees  when  necessary  in  the  execution  of  his 
plans  and  operations  of  the  bureau,  and  fix  their  compensation.  The  said  employees 
shall  be  allowed  their  necessary  traveling  expenses  when  traveling  on  the  business  of 
said  department  and  shall  hold  office  at  the  pleasure  of  said  state  mineralogist. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  state  mineralogist  to  make,  facilitate,  and 
encourage,  special  studies  of  the  mineral  resources  and  mineral  industries  of  the 
state.  It  shall  be  his  duty;  to  collect  statistics  concerning  the  occurrence  and  pro- 
duction of  the  economically  important  minerals  and  the  methods  pursued  in  making 
their  valuable  constituents  available  for  commercial  use ;  to  make  a  collection  of 
typical  geological  and  mineralogical  specimens,  especially  those  of  economic  and 
commercial  importance,  such  collection  constituting  the  museum  of  the  state  mining 
bureau  ;  to  provide  a  library  of  books,  reports,  drawings,  bearing  upon  the  mineral 
industries,  and  sciences  of  mineralogy  and  geology,  and  arts  of  mining  and  metallurgy, 
such  library  constituting  the  library  of  the  state  mining  bureau ;  to  make  a 
collection  of  models,  drawings  and  descriptions  of  the  mechanical   appliances  used 


1 


APPENDIX.  151 

[in  mining  and  metallurgical  processes  ;  to  preserve  and  so  maintain  such  collections 
and  library  as  to  make  them  available  for  reference  and  examination,  and  open  to 
public  inspection  at  reasonable  hours ;  to  maintain,  in  effect,  a  bureau  of  information 
concerning  the  mineral  industries  of  this  state,  to  consist  of  such  collections  and 
library,  and  to  arrango,  classify,  catalogue,  and  index  the  data  therein  contained,  in 
a  manner  to  make  the  information  available  to  those  desiring  it ;  to  issue  from  time 
to  time  such  bulletins  as  he  may  deem  advisable  concerning  the  statistics  and  tech- 
nology of  the  mineral  industries  of  this  state. 

Sec.  5.  It  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  the  owner,  lessor,  lessee,  agent,  manager 
or  other  person  in  charge  of  each  and  every  mine,  of  whatever  kind  or  character, 
within  the  state,  to  forward  to  the  state  mineralogist,  upon  his  request,  at  his  office 
not  later  than  the  thirtieth  day  of  June,  in  each  year,  a  detailed  report  upon  forms 
which  will  be  furnished  showing  the  character  of  the  mine,  the  number  of  men  then 
employed,  the  method  of  working  such  mine  and  the  general  condition  thereof,  the 
total  mineral  production  for  the  past  year,  and  such  owner,  lessor,  lessee,  agent, 
manager  or  other  person  in  charge  of  any  mine  within  the  state  must  furnish 
whatever  information  relative  to  such  mine  as  the  state  mineralogist  may  from 
time  to  time  require  for  the  proper  discharge  of  his  official  duties.  Any  owner, 
lessor,  lessee,  agent,  manager  or  other  person  in  charge  of  each  and  every  mine,  of 
whatever  kind  or  character  within  the  state,  who  fails  to  comply  with  the  above 
provisions  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor.* 

Sec.  6.  The  state  mineralogist  now  performing  the  duties  of  the  office  of  state 
mineralogist  shall  perform  the  duties  of  the  office  of  state  mineralogist  as  in  this 
act  provided  until  the  appointment  and  qualification  of  his  successor  as  in  this  act 
provided. 

Sec.  7.  The  said  state  mineralogist  shall  take  possession,  charge  and  control  of 
the  offices  now  occupied  and  used  by  the  board  of  trustees  and  state  mineralogist 
and  the  museum,  library  and  laboratory  of  the  mining  bureau  located  in  San  Fran- 
cisco as  provided  for  by  a  certain  act  of  the  legislature  approved  March  23,  1893, 
and  hereafter  referred  to  in  section  fourteen  hereof,  and  shall  maintain  such  offices, 
museum,  library  and  laboratory  for  the  purposes  provided  in  this  act. 

Sec.  8.  Said  state  mineralogist  or  qualified  assistant  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  at  any  time  to  enter  or  examine  any  and  all  mines,  quarries,  tvells,  mills, 
reduction  works,  refining  works  and  other  mineral  properties  or  working  plants  in 
this  state  in  order  to  gather  data  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

Sec.  9.  The  state  mineralogist  shall  make  a  biennial  report  to  the  governor  on 
or  before  the  fifteenth  day  of  September  next  preceding  the  regular  session  of  the 
legislature. 

Sec  10.  All  moneys  received  by  the  state  mining  bureau  or  any  officer  thereof 
(except  such  as  may  be  paid  to  them  by  the  state  for  disbursement)  shall  be 
receipted  for  by  the  state  mineralogist  or  other  officer  authorized  by  him  to  act  in 
his  place  and  at  least  once  a  month  accounted  for  by  him  to  the  state  controller  and 
paid  into  the  state  treasury  to  the  credit  of  a  fund  which  is  hereby  created  and 
designated  "state  mining  bureau  fund."  All  moneys  now  in  the  possession  of  the 
state  mining  bureau  or  any  officer  thereof  received  from  any  source  whatsoever, 
shall  be  immediately  paid  over  to  the  state  mineralogist  and  by  him  accounted  for 
to  the  controller  and  paid  into  the  state  treasury  to  the  credit  of  said  fund.  Said 
fund  shall  be  used  and  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the  use  of  said  bureau  in  carrying 
out  the  purposes  of  this  act. 

Sec.  11.  The  said  state  mineralogist  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to 
receive  on  behalf  of  this  state,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  state  mining  bureau, 
gifts,  bequests,  devices  and  legacies  of  real  or  other  property  and  to  use  the  same  in 
accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  donors,  and  if  no  instructions  are  given  by  said 
donors,  to  manage,  use,  and  dispose  of  the  gifts  and  bequests  and  legacies  for  the 
best  interests  of  said  state  mining  bureau  and  in  such  manner  as  he  may  deem  proper. 


*Sec.  19  of  the  Penal  Code  of  California  provides:  "Except  in  cases  where  a  differ- 
ent punishment  is  prescribed  by  this  code,  every  offense  declared  to  he  a  misde- 
meanor is  punishable  by  Imprisonment  in  a  county  jail  not  exceeding  six  months,  or 
by  a  fine  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars,  or  by  both." 


152  MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OP    CAt/lFORNIA. 

Sec.  12.  The  state  mineralogist  may,  whenever  he  deems  it  advisable,  prepai'e  a 
special  collection  of  ores  and  minerals  of  California  to  be  sent  to  or  used  at  any 
world's  fair  or  exposition  in  order  to  display  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  state. 

Sec.  13.  The  state  mineralogist  is  hereby  empowered  to  fix  a  price  upon  and  to 
dispose  of  to  the  public,  at  such  price,  any  and  all  publications  of  the  state  mining 
bureau,  including  reports,  bulletins,  maps,  registers  or  other  publications,  such  price 
shall  approximate  the  cost  of  publication  and  distribution.  Any  and  all  sums 
derived  from  such  disposition,  or  from  gifts  or  bequests  made,  as  hereinbefore  pro- 
vided must  be  accounted  for  by  said  state  mineralogist  and  turned  over  to  the 
state  treasurer  to  be  credited  to  the  mining  bureau  fund  as  provided  for  in  section 
ten.  He  is  also  empowered  to  furnish  without  cost  to  public  libraries  the  publications 
of  the  bureau,  and  to  exchange  publications  with  other  geological  surveys  and 
scientific  societies,  etc. 

Sec.  14.  The  state  mineralogist  provided  for  by  this  act  shall  be  the  successor 
in  interest  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  and  the  state 
mineralogist,  under  and  by  virtue  of  that  certain  act,  entitled  "An  act  to  provide 
for  the  establishment,  maintenance,  and  support  of  a  bureau,  to  be  known  as  the 
state  mining  bureau,  and  for  the  appointment  and  duties  of  a  board  of  trustees,  to 
be  known  as  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  who  shall  have  the 
direction,  management,  and  control  of  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for 
the  appointment,  duties,  and  compensation  of  a  state  mineralogist,  who  shall  perform 
the  duties  of  his  ofiice  under  the  control,  direction  and  supervision  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,"  approved  March  23,  1893,  and  all  books, 
papers,  documents,  personal  property,  records,  and  property  of  every  kind  and 
description  obtained  or  possessed,  or  held  or  controlled  by  the  said  board  of  trustees 
of  the  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  the  state  mineralogist,  and  the  clerks  and 
employees  thereof,  under  the  provisions  of  said  act  of  March  23,  1893,  or  any  act 
supplemental  thereto  or  amendatory  thereof,  shall  immediately  be  turned  over  and 
delivered  to  the  said  state  mineralogist  herein  provided  for,  who  shall  have  charge 
and  control  thereof. 

Sec.  15.  That  certain  act  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  establishment, 
maintenance,  and  support  of  a  bureau,  to  be  known  as  the  state  mining  bureau,  and 
for  the  appointment  and  duties  of  a  board  of  trustees,  to  be  known  as  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for  the  appointment,  duties 
and  compensation  of  a  state  mineralogist,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  of  his  office 
under  the  control,  direction,  and  supervision  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state 
mining  bureau,"  approved  March  23,  1893,  together  with  all  acts  amendatory 
thereof  and  supplemental  thereto  and  all  acts  in  conflict  herewith  are  hereby 
repealed. 


APPENDIX. 


153 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING 

BUREAU. 

Publications  of  this  Bureau  will  be  sent  on  receipt  of  the  requisite  amount.     Only 
|8tamps,  coin  or  monej'  orders  will  be  accepted  in  payment. 

Money  orders  should  be  made  payable  to  the  State  Mining  Bureau. 
Personal  checks  will  not  be  accepted. 

REPORTS. 

Asterisk   (*)    Indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 
I^Report  I.     Henry  G.  Hanks.      1880. 

♦Report        II.     Henry  G.  Hanks.      1882. 
•Report      III.     Henry  G.   Hanks.     1S83. 
•Report       IV.     Henry  G.   Hanks.      1884. 
•Report        V.     Henry  G.   Hanks.     1885. 
.•Report      VI.     Part  1.     Henry  G.  Hanks.      1886. 
•Report       VI.     Part  2.     Wm.  Irelan,   Jr.     1886. 
••Report     VII.     Wm.  Irelan.  Jr.     1887. 
•Report  VIII.     Wm.  Irelan,  Jr.     1888. 
•Report       IX.     Wm.   Irelan.  Jr.     1889. 
•Report        X.     Wm.  Irelan,  Jr.     1890.  Price. 

Report      XL     Wm.   Irelan,  Jr.     1892.      (First  biennial) $1.00 

•Report     XII.     J.  J.  Crawford.      1894.      (Second  biennial) 

•Report  XIII.     J.  J.   Crawford.     1896.      (Third  biennial) 

Chapters    of    State    Mineralogist's   Report,    Biennial    period,    1913-1914,    Fletcher 
Hamilton: 
Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Imperial  and  San  Diego  Counties — P.  J.  H. 

Merrill       1914   ^ .35 

Mines  and  Mineral   Resources,   Amador,   Calaveras  and   Tuolumne   Counties — 

W.  B.  Tucker.      1915 .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,    Colusa,    Glenn.    Lake,    Marin,    Napa,    Solano, 

Sonoma  and  Yolo  Counties — Walter  W.  Bradley.     1915 .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,   Del  Norte,  Humboldt  and  Mendocino  Counties 

— F.    L.    Lowell.      1915 .26 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Fresno,  Kern.  Kings.  Madera,  Mariposa,  Merced, 
San   Joaquin   and    Stanislaus   Counties — Walter  W.    Bradley,    G.    C.    Brown, 

F.  L.   Lowell  and  R.  P.  McLaughlin.     1915 .50 

Mines   and  Mineral   Resources,   Shasta,   Siskiyou  and  Trinity   Counties — G.   C. 

Brown.      1915    .50 

Report  XIV.      Fletcher  Hamilton,  1915.  Biennial  period,  1913-1914.      (The  above 

coimty  chapters  combined  in  a  single  volume) 2.00 

Cliapters   of    State   Mineralogist's   Report,   Biennial   Period,    1915-1916,    Fletcher 
Hamilton  : 
Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Alpine,  Inyo  and  Mono  Counties,  with  geological 
map — Arthur    S.    Eakle,    Emile    Huguenin,    R.    P.    McLaughlin,    Clarence    A. 

Waring.      1917    1.25 

Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    Butte,    Lassen,    Modoc,    Sutter    and    Tehama 

Counties — W.   Burling  Tucker,   Clarence  A.   Waring.      1917 .50 

Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    El    Dorado,    Placer.    Sacramento    and    Yuba 

Counties — W.   Burling  Tucker,   Clarence  A.  Waring.      1917 .65 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Los  Angeles,  Orange  and  Riverside  Counties — 

Frederick  J.    H.   Merrill.      1917 .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Monterey,   San  Benito,   San  Luis  Obispo,  Santa 
Barbara  and  Ventura  Counties — Walter  W.  Bradley,  Emile  Huguenin,  C.  A. 

Logan,  Clarence  A.  Waring.      1917 .65 

Mines   and   Mineral    Resources,    San    Bernardino    and   Tulare    Counties — H.    C. 

Cloudman,  Emile  Huguenin,  F.  J.  H.  Merrill,  W.  Burling  Tucker.     1917 .65 


BULLETINS. 

*Bulletin     1.     Dessicated   Human   Remains. — Winslow  Anderson.      188S 

•Bulletin     2.     Methods  of  Mine   Timbering. — W.   H.   Storms.     1894 

•Bulletin     3.     Gas  and  Petroleum  Yielding  Formations  of  the  Central  Valley  of 

California. — W.  L.  Watts.      1894 

•Bulletin     4.     Catalogue    of    California   Fossils    (Parts   2,    3,    4    and    5). — J.    G.    

Cooper.     1894   

•Bulletin     5.     The  Cyanide  Process:  Its  Practical  Application  and  Economical 

Results. — A.  Scheidel.     1894 

Bulletin      fi.      California   Gold   Mill   Practices. — E.    B.   Preston.      1895 --  $0.50 

•Bulletin     7.     Mineral    Production    of   California,   by   Counties,    1894. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin     8.     Mineral   Production   of   California,   by    Counties,    1895. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin     9.     Mine  Drainage,  Pumps,  etc. — Hans  C.  Behr.     1896 

♦Bulletin  10.     A    Bibliography    Relating    to    the    Geology,    Palaeontology,    and 

Mineral  Resources  of  California. — A.  W.  Vogdes.     1896_ 


154 


MINERAIj    industry   of    CALIFORNIA. 


PUBLICATIONS    OF    THE    CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING     BUREAU— Continued. 

Asterisk   (*)   indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

Price. 
•Bulletin   11.     Oil   and   Gas   Yielding   Formations  of   Los  Angeles,  Ventura  and 

Santa  Barbara  Counties. — W.  L.  Watts.      1896 

♦Bulletin   12.     Mineral   Production    of    California,   by   Counties,    1896. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  13.     Mineral   Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    1897. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin   14.     Mineral    Production   of   California,   by   Counties,    1898. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

Bulletin   15.     Map  of  Oil  City  Oil  Fields,  Fresno  County. — J.  H.  Means 

•Bulletin   16.     The   Genesis   of   Petroleum   and   Asphaltum   in   California. — A.    S. 

Cooper.     1899 

•Bulletin   17.     Mineral   Production    of   California,   by   Counties,    1899. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet)   

•Bulletin   18.     The  Mother  Lode  Region  of  California. — W.  H.  Storms,   1900 

•Bulletin   19.     Oil   and   Gas   Yielding   Formations   of    California. — W.    L.    Watts. 

1900 

•Bulletin  20.     Synopsis    of    General    Report    of    State    Mining    Bureau. — W,    L. 

Watts.     1900 

•Bulletin  21.     Mineral   Production   of   California,   by   Counties,    1900. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  22.     Mineral  Production   of  California  for  Fourteen  Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      1900.      (Tabulated    sheet)     

Bulletin.         Reconnaissance  of  the  Colorado  Desert  Mining  District. — Stephen 

Bowers.     1901 

Bulletin  23.     The  Copper  Resources  of  California. — P.  C.  DuBois,  F.  M.  Ander- 
son, J.   H.  Tibbits,  and  G.  A.   Tweedv.      1902 $0.30 

•Bulletin  24.     The   Saline  Deposits  of  California. — G.   E.   Bailey.      1902 

•Bulletin  25.     Mineral    Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    1901. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  26.     Mineral    Production    of    California   for    Fifteen    Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.     1901.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  27.     The   Quicksilver   Resources   of   California. — Wm.    P^orstner.     1903    

•Bulletin  28.     Mineral    Production   of   California,    by    Counties,    1902. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin   29.     Mineral    Production    of    California    for    Sixteen    Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.     1902.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

♦Bulletin  30.     A  Bibliography  of  Geology,  Palaeontology,  and  Mineral  Resources 

of  California. — A.  W.  Vogdes.     1903    _. 

•Bulletin  31.     Chemical  Analyses  of  California  Petroleum. — H.  N.  Cooper.      1903. 

(Tabulated  sheet)   _. 

Bulletin  32.     Production  and  Use  of  Petroleum  in  California. — P.  W.  Prutzman. 

1904 .25J 

•Bulletin  33.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by   Counties,    1903. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet)    _ 

•Bulletin  34.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Seventeen  Years. — Chas.  G. 

Yale.     1903.     (Tabulated  sheet) — 

•Bulletin  35.     Mines  and  Minerals  of  California  for  1903. — Chas.  G.'  Tale.     1904. 

(Statistical)     _. 

•Bulletin  36.     Gold  Dredging  in  California. — J.  E!.  Doolittle.      1905 _. 

Bulletin  37.     Gems,  Jewelers*  Materials,  and  Ornamental  Stones  of  California. 
— George  F.  Kunz.     1905  : 

First  edition   (without  colored  plates) .25] 

•Second  edition   (with  colored  plates) _. 

•Bulletin   38.     The    Structural    and    Industrial    Materials    of    California. — Wm. 

Forstner,    T.    C.    Hopkins.    C.   Naramore,   L.    H.    Eddy.      1906__    _. 
•Bulletin  39.     Mineral   Production    of   California,    by    Counties,    1904. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet)    _ 

•Bulletin  40.     Mineral   Production  of  California   for  Eighteen  Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      1904.      (Tabulated    sheet)    _. 

•Bulletin  41.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,     for     1904 — Chas.     G.     Yale 

(Statistical)     _. 

•Bulletin   42.     Mineral    Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    1905. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    _ 

•Bulletin   43.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Nineteen  Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      1905.      (Tabulated    sheet)    _. 

•Bulletin  44.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,    for    1905. — Chas.    G.    Yale. 

(Statistical)     _. 

•Bulletin  45.     Auriferous  Black  Sands  of  California. — J.  A.  Edman.     1907 _. 

Bulletin  46.     General  Index  to  Publications  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau. — Com- 
piled by  Chas.  G.  Yale.      1907 .3(1 

•Bulletin  47.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by    Counties,    1906. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    _ 

•Bulletin  48.     Mineral    Production    of    California   for   Twenty   Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      1906.       (Tabulated   sheet)    _. 

•Bulletin  49.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,    for    1906. — Chas.    G.    Yale. 

(Statistical)    _. 

Bulletin   50.     The   Copper   Resources   of   California. — A.    Hausmann,   J.    Krutt- 

schnitt,   Jr.,  W.   E.   Thome.  J.   A.   Edman.     1908 l.OOi 

•Bulletin  51.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,    1907. — D.    H. 

Walker,  Statistician.     (Tabulated  sheet) _. 

•Bulletin  52.     Mineral   Production   of  California  for  Twenty-one   Years. — D.   H. 

Walker,   Statistician.     1907.      (Tabulated   sheet)    _. 


APPENDIX.  155 

PUBLICATIONS    OF    THE    CALIFORNIA    STATE     MINING     BUREAU— Continued. 

Asterisk  (•)  indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

Price. 
♦Bulletin  53.     Mineral   Production   of  California   for   1907,    with   County   Maps — 

D.  H.   Walker,  Statistician.      1908.      (Statistical) 

•Bulletin   54.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,     1908. — D.    H. 

Walker,    Statistician.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  55.     Mineral   Production  of  California  for   Twenty-two  Years. — D.   H. 

Walker,    Statistician.      1908.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  56.     Mineral    Production    for    1908,    County    Maps,    and    Mining    Laws 

of  California. — D.   H.   Walker.      1909.      (Statistical) 

•Bulletin  57.     Gold    Dredging    in    California. — W.    B.    Winston,    Charles    Janin. 

1910 

•Bulletin  58.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,     1909. — D.    H. 

Walker,  Statistician.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  59.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-three  Years. — D.  H. 

Walker,  Statistician.     1909.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin   60.     Mineral    Production    for    1909,    County    Maps,    and    Mining   Laws 

of  California. — D.H.Walker.     1910.     (Statistical) 

•Bulletin  61.     Mineral   Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    for    1910. — D.    H. 

Walker,  Statistician.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  62.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for   Twenty-four  Years. — D.   H. 

Walker,  Statistician.      1910.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

Bulletin   63.      Petroleum   in    Southern   California. — P.    W.    Prutzman.      1912 |0.75 

Bulletin   64.     Mineral  Production  for  1911. — B.  S.  Boalich,  Statistician,   1912 

Bulletin   65.     Mineral  Production  for  1912. — E.   S.  Boalich,  Statistician,   1913 

•Bulletin   66.     Mining  Laws,  United  States  and   California,   1914 

Bulletin   67.     Minerals  of  California. — A.    S.    Eakle.      1914 

Bulletin   68.     Mineral   Production  for   1913. — E.    S.   Boalich.      1914 

Bulletin   69.     Petroleum  Industry  of  California,  with  Folio  of  Maps  (18x22  in.) 

— R.   P.   McLaughlin  and  C.  A.  Waring,   1914 2.00 

•Bulletin  70.     Mineral    Production    for    1914.    with    Mining   Law   Appendi.x.     1915    

•Bulletin  71.     California  Mineral  Production  for  1915,  with  Mining  Law  Appen- 
dix and  Maps. — Walter  W.  Bradley,  1916 

Bulletin  72.     Geologic  Formations  of  California. — James  Perrin   Smitli.      1917. 

(For  Map,   see  below) .25 

Bulletin  73.     Report   of   Operations   of   Department   of  Petroleum   and  Gas   for 

1915-1916.— R.   P.  McLaughlin.     1917 

Bulletin  74.     California    Mineral    Production    for    1916,    with    County    Maps. — 

Walter  W.    Bradley.     1917 , 

Registers    of    Mines   with    Maps. 

Amador   County   $.25 

Butte    County    .25 

•Calaveras    County   

•El  Dorado  County 

•Inyo   County   

•Kern  County 

Lake  County .25 

Mariposa  County .25 

•Nevada    County    " 

•Placer  County 

•Plumas    County    

•San  Bernardino  County 

•San  Diego  County   

Santa  Barbara  County .25 

•Shasta   County   

•Sierra  County 

•Siskiyou  County 

•Trinity  County 

•Tuolumne  County 

Yuba    County    .25 

Register  of  Oil  Wells   (with  map),  Los  Angeles  City .35 

OTHER   MAPS. 

•California,  Sliowing  Mineral  Deposits  (50.x60  in.) 

Forest   Reserves  in   California — 

Mounted   .50 

Unmounted    .30 

•Mineral  and  Relief  Map  of  California 

El  Dorado  County,  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

Madera  County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National   Forests .20 

Placer  County,   Showing  BounOaries  of  National  Forests .20 

Shasta  County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

Sierra  County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National   Forests .20 

Siskiyou   County,   Showing  Boundaries   of  National   Forests .2Q 

Trinity  County,  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .45 

Tuolumne  County,  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

•Mother  Lode  Region 

Desert  Region  of  Southern   California .10 

Minaret    District,    Madera    County    .20 

Copper  Deposits  in  California .05 

Calaveras    County    .25 

Plumas    County    .25 

Tuolumne  County .25 

Geological  Map  of  California  (mounted) — 50x60  inches 2.50 


15G 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


DETERMINATION  OF  MINERAL  SAMPLES. 
Samples  (limited  to  three  at  one  time)  of  any  mineral  found  in  the  state  may  be 
sent  to  the  Bureau  for  identification,  and  the  same  will  be  classified  free  of  charge. 
No  samples  will  be  determined  if  received  from  points  outside  the  state.  It  must  be 
understood  that  no  assays,  or  quantitative  determinations  will  be  made.  Samples 
should  be  in  lump  form  if  possible,  and  marked  plainly  with  name  of  sender  on  out- 
side of  package,  etc.  No  samples  will  be  received  unless  delivery  charges  are  prepaid. 
A  letter  should  accompany  sample,  giving  locality  where  mineral  was  found  and  the 
nature  of  the  information  desired. 


Area  of  California,         153,650  sq.  miles 
"      10  other  States,   153.130  sq.  miles 


Outline  map  of  California,   showing  rclntive  areas  of  ten  other  states. 


i 


APPENDIX. 


157 


Tlic  fdllowin.^  county  maps  sliow  all  lowiis,  posi  odiccs,  railroads,  .stayo  lines.  juhI 
the  highways.  They  are  especially  valuable  to  all  who  wish  to  leave  the  railroad 
and  penetrate  to  the  interior  of  the  mining  districts  of  the  state.  These  maps  must 
not  be  reproduced  without  obtaining  permission  from  the  Mining  Bureau. 


RELIEF  MAP  OF 

CALIFORNi;^ 

Issued  by  the 

CALIfORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAl 


FLETCHER  HAMILTON 

Statei  Mineralogist 


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INDEX. 


Page 

Alameda    County    117 

Map   of 166 

Alpine    County    118 

Map   of 165 

Aluminum    27 

Amador   County 118 

Map   of 165 

Analyses  of  brick  clays 57 

of    lithia    minerals 100 

Antimony    27 

Total    production    28 

Appendix    150-176 

Asbestos     86-89 

Total    production    89 

Uses   and   characteristics 87—88 

Asphalt 56 

Barytes 89 

Total  production 89 

Beach  stones    (gems)    95 

Benitoite 95 

Beryl 95 

Bismuth    28 

Bituminous  rock 56 

Total  production 57 

Bloodstone    95 

Borax    109-110 

Production,  1887-1916 110 

Brick 57-59 

Chemical  analysis  of  common  brick 
clays    57 

Production  of  various  kinds 58 

Total  production.    1893-1916 59 

Building  stone.     (See  Granite,  Marble, 
Sandstone,  etc.) 

Bulletins,  list  of 153-155 

Butte    County    119 

Map   of 161 

Calaveras  County 119 

Map   of   165 

California,    map    of,    showing   relative 

areas  of  ten  other  states 156 

California,  relief  map  of 157 

Capital  National  Bank  Building,  Sac- 
ramento         91 

Cement        59-60 

Total  production 60 

Chart  of  lead  prices 35 

Silver   prices    48 

Tungsten   prices    52 

Zinc    prices    54 

Chromite     61-63 

Total    production    63 

Clay — pottery    90-92 

Production    1887-1916    92 

Products 90,  92 

Clays,  analyses  of 57 

Coal 13 

Colusa  County 120 

Map   of 162 

Concrete,   rock  for 82 

Contra  Costa  County 120 

Map   of 164 

Copper 29-30 

Production    1887-1916 30 

Counties,    mineral    production    of 

12, 116-149 

Crushed  rock 82 

Curbing 65 

Del  Norte  County 121 

Map   of 158 

Determination  of  mineral  samples 156 

Diamonds 95 

Diatomaceous    earth    98 

Dolomite 92-93 

El  Dorado  County 122 

Map  of   163 

Feldspar 93-94 

Total  production 94 

Ferro-Chrome    by   electric    furnace 34,  62 

Ferro-manganese  by  electric  furnace. 34,  38 

12—31821 


Page 
Fire-clay     90 

IHuorspar     95 

Fresno  County 122 

Map   of 168 

Fuels 13-25 

Fuller's  earth   94 

Total  production 94 

Furnaces  for  calcining  magnesite 67,  68 

Gas.     (See  Natural  Gas.) 

Gems 95-96 

Total  production 96 

Glass  sand 105 

Glenn   County    123 

Map   of   162 

Gold 30-33 

Percentage    yield   of,    by   lodes    and 
placers    31 

Total  production 33 

Granite   ^'*~S° 

Production,  1887-1916 66 

Graphite 96 

Gravel 81 

Grinding  mill  pebbles i9-Sl 

Gypsum 97-98 

Total  production 98 

Humboldt  County 123 

Map    of    160 

Hyacinth 95 

Hydrocarbons    13— 2 o 

Imperial  County 124 

Map  of 1'6 

Industrial    materials    85—108 

Infusorial  earth 98 

Total    Production    99 

Invo  County 125 

Map  of 170 

Iridium    34,  40 

Iron  ore 34 

Total  production 34 

Jewelers'   materials.      (See  Gems.) 

Kern  County 126 

Map  of 171 

Kings   County 126 

Map  of 169 

Kunzite 95 

Lake  County 127 

Map   of 162 

Lassen  County 127 

Map  of 159 

Lassen  Peak _143 

Lead    35-36 

Production,  1887-1916 36 

Lime    66 

Limestone     99 

Total     value     lime     and     limestone, 

1887-1916     100 

Lithia    100-101 

Minerals,   analyses   of 100 

Los  .Anseles  County 128 

Map    of 174 

Macadam    82 

Madera    County    128 

Map   of 167 

Magnesite     66-74 

Formulas  for  cement  of 72 

Furnaces    for    calcining —  67—68 

Mines    operating.    1916 68-70 

Producing    districts 68-70 

Production   by   counties    73 

Production,     1887-1916 74 

Uses    of    70-73 

Values  of 73 

Magnesium    chloride    110 

Manganese   37-39 

Prices   of    37 

Total    production    39 

Maps,   list  of,  of  various  counties 155 

Marble     74-75 

Production,    1887-1916    75 


178 


INDEX. 


Page 

Marin   County 129 

Map   of 164 

Mariposa   County 129 

Map   of 167 

Mendocino  County 130 

Map   of 162 

Merced  County 130 

Map   of 167 

Metals 26-54 

Mica    101 

Mineral   industry,   review  of 9 

Output,  1916    (tabulation) 11 

Output  by   counties 12,  116-149 

Output,     comparative    value,     1915- 

1916 11 

Paint 101-102 

Mineral  Samples,   determination  of 156 

Water    103 

Production,  1887-1916 103 

Mining  Bureau  Act 150-152 

Miscellaneous    stone    78-84 

Modoc  County 131 

Map   of 159 

Molybdenum     39 

Mono  County 131 

Map   of 170 

Monterey   County 132 

Map   of 172 

Monumental   stone 65 

Moulding   sand    81 

Museum  of  State   Mining  Bureau 

Frontispiece 

Napa  County 132 

Map   of 164 

Natural    Gas 14-17 

Gasoline  from 16 

Production,  1888-1916 15 

Nevada  County  133 

Map   of 163 

New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mine 44,  45 

Nickel    40 

Nitrates    111 

Oil.      (See  Petroleum.) 

Onyx    75 

(grange  County 133 

Map   of 171 

Osmium    40 

Palladium     40 

Paving  blocks 78-79 

Pebbles  for   grinding  mills 79-81 

Petroleum     17-25 

Average  price  by  county,  1914-1916     19 

Dividends  from 23 

Financial   tables 22-24 

Operating  costs  by  fields 24 

Prices  by  fields 24 

Production,  1875-1916 19 

Production  and  value  by  counties 19 

Production  by   fields 20 

Production  of  light  and  heavy  grav- 
ities         21 

Statistics  of  well  operations 20,  21,  24 

Phosphates 103 

Placer    County    134 

Map   of 163 

Platinum    40-42 

Prom   blister   copper 40,  41 

Production,    1887-1916    42 

Plumas  County 135 

Map   of 161 

Porcelain    90,  92 

Potash     111-113 

Pottery  clays 90-92 

Proved  oil  land 25 

Publications  of   State  Mining   Bureau 

153-155 

Pumice    104 

Pyrite    104-105 

Total    production    105 

Quartz     105 


Page 
Quicksilver     42-47 

Concentration  of 45 

Duty  on 44 

Prices    42-43 

Production  by  counties 46 

Total  production 47 

Uses  of 44 

Rhodonite 95 

Riprap 82 

Riverside  County 135 

Map   of 176 

Rubble    82 

Sacramento  County 136 

Map   of 165 

Salines    109-115 

Salt    113-114 

Production,  1887-1916 114 

Samples,    determination    of 156 

San  Benito   County 137 

Map   of 172 

San  Bernardino  County 137 

Map   of 175 

San  Diego  County 138 

Map   of 176 

San  Francisco    County 139 

Map   of 164,166 

San  Joaquin  County 139 

Map   of   165 

San  Luis   Obispo   County 139 

Map   of   173 

San  Mateo  County 140 

Map   of 166 

Sand,   glass    105 

Sand  and    gravel   81 

Sand — lime  brick 58 

Sandstone     75-76 

Production,    1887-1916    76 

Santa  Barbara  County 141 

Map   of 173 

Santa   Clara  County   141 

Map   of 166 

Santa  Cruz  County 142 

Map   of   166 

Serpentine     76 

Shasta   County   142 

Map  of 160 

Sierra  County 143 

Map   of 161 

Silica     105-106 

Silver     47-50 

Percentage   yield   of,    by   classes   of 
oi'GS — — —      49 

Production,  1887-1916 II--     50 

Siskiyou  County 144 

Map   of > 158 

gjg^jg YY 

Production,  1889-1916 77 

Soapstone     106-107 

Total    production    107 

Soda    114-115 

Total  production  of 115 

Solano    County    144 

Map   of 164 

Sonoma  County 145 

Map   of 164 

Spelter.      (See  Zinc.) 

Stanislaus   County 145 

Map   of 167 

State  Highway  Bridge  at  Dunsmuir 60 

State  Mineralogist's  Reports,  list  of 153 

Mining  Bureau  publications,  list  of 

153-155 

Stone,   miscellaneous 78—84 

Production    by   counties    84 

Production  by  years 84 

Stoneware    90,  92 

Strontium 107-108 

Structural   materials   55-84 

Sulphur     108 


INDEX. 


179 


Page 
Sutter  County 146 

Map   of 163 

Talc     106-107 

Tehama  County 146 

Map  of 160 

Terra   cotta 90,  92 

Tile    57-59,    92 

Tin 50 

Topaz    95 

Tourmaline     95 

Travertine    75 

Trinity  County 146 

Map   of 160 

Tube   mill   pebbles 79-81 

Tulare  County 147 

Map   of 169 


Page 
Tungsten    51-53 

Total  production 53 

Tuolumne  County 147 

Map   of 165 

Vanadium 53 

Ventura  County 148 

Map  of 174 

Volcanic  ash 104 

Witherite 89 

Yolo    County   149 

Map   of 164 

Yuba    County    149 

Map   of 163 

Zinc 54 

Total  production 54 


1 


I 


1 


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SEVENTH  DAY  OVERDUE. 


181^92 


Calif.  Dept.  of  natural 
resources.  Div,  of  mines 
Bulletin, 


Call  Numbec: 


sciefiCES 


..,w\iCi 

UtllVfttSltV  OF  CALIFOamA 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA   DAVIS 


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